Latics’ mission to fill void

ATHLETIC are working hard to nail a replacement friendly for the cancelled Wigan fixture. Morecambe and Yeovil are current possibilities.

WIgan - FA Cup winners relegated from the Premier League last season - told Athletic they couldn’t play the pre-season game at Boundary Park on July 20, due to arranging a last-minute training camp in America.

Athletic were left with only three pre-season matches: against Curzon Ashton (away, July 15); Accrington Stanley (away, July 23), and Huddersfield Town (home, July 27).

“We have a couple of irons in the fire and hopefully, we will be able to announce something in the next couple of days,” said Athletic chief executive Neil Joy.

Morecambe, of League Two, also had their scheduled game against Wigan cancelled. Family favours could be called in to arrange a father-and-son battle of the managers against Yeovil, newly

promoted to the Championship and run by Johnson’s father.

Ideally, the club will be focusing on arranging the replacement game at at Boundary Park to road test new elements at the ground. Demolition work has seen the last remnants of the old Broadway Stand, including the front wall, disappear.

Next to go will be the concrete terracing and matchday control centre, which is to be relocated to the Main Stand. With turnstiles and exit gates removed for a new North Stand, a fresh turnstile block and exit is being built in the Chaddy End.

Many of Athletic’s players will report back tomorrow, ahead of a testing programme at Bolton University on Thursday and Friday. Pre-season training starts on Monday.