Latics run the rule over trialists

POWERHOUSE . . . former Stoke forward Mamady Sidibe has a wealth of experience and could prove a useful addition to a youthful Athletic strike force.

THREE trialists will hope to impress Athletic manager Lee Johnson as the squad convenes for the first training session of the summer.

Former Stoke striker Mamady Sidibe (34), ex-Kilmarnock forward William Gros (22) and released Walsall centre midfield man Nicky Featherstone (25) will be put through their paces at Chapel Road from Monday.

The trio should all then get run-outs in a behind-closed-doors game against Steaua Bucharest.

That fixture is likely to be confirmed soon for the early evening of July 5 at St George’s Park near Burton - the FA’s £100million national football centre.

“That game suits us now, to take a look at the trialists,” said Johnson, whose contracted players will undergo fitness testing programmes starting on Thursday.

Sidibe is the most experienced of the three by far. The Mali international has played more than 350 games for Swansea, Gillingham and Stoke and ha played on loan for Sheffield Wednesday and Tranmere.

More recently, he has played overseas with CSKA Sofia, though couldn’t settle and returned after only one season.

Gros is a former Kilmarnock teammate of Johnson’s, capable of playing on the wing or up front.

First-team opportunities were hard to come by for Frenchman Gros last season; the former Le Havre striker joined the club four years ago but was reduced to a bit-part role as an understudy to Kris Boyd.

He signed a three-year deal with Kilmarnock last summer but could head for Boundary Park if he impresses.

Featherstone played for Hull City and had loans at North Ferriby, Grimsby and Hereford before joining the Edgar Street side – then in League Two. After a season with the Bulls he moved to Walsall, where he made 65 appearances in league and cup over two seasons prior to his release at the end of last season.