Penney closes in on targets

ATHLETIC are expecting movement in the transfer market over the next 24 hours.

Manager Dave Penney was behind his desk at Boundary Park today working tirelessly to tie up further deals.

Penney has made offers to a number of players in all areas - defence, midfield and attack - and is currently awaiting their replies.

But with pre-season training to begin two weeks on Monday, Penney is anxious to place further pieces in the jigsaw as he builds a squad for the 2009/10 season.

Penney has so far only signed two players - midfield man Jon Worthington, from Huddersfield and Darlington utility player Rob Purdie.

And with nine players leaving Boundary Park in a massive overhaul of the playing staff, Penney still has plenty of work to do to rebuild his squad.

Chris Taylor will be reporting back for pre-season training one week early as he bids to regain full fitness after damaging ankle ligaments late in the season.

The 22-year-old winger has been working hard throughout the break and is on course to be able to take part in pre-season work.

The same applies to central defender Reuben Hazell who has also been putting in extra work.

Player-of-the-season Hazell had minor surgery on a troublesome stomach/groin muscle which took longer than expected to heal.