No hint on Latics deal for Elokobi

George Elokobi

ATHLETIC manager Lee Johnson says there is no indication yet whether a deal will be struck with George Elokobi.

The ex-Wolves defender (28) turned out in the Huddersfield friendly on Saturday and continues to be involved with the squad.

It is clear that the manager likes having the experienced left-sided player around.

However, at the moment, it is unclear whether he will be on board the team coach that departs south on Friday morning ahead of the opening game of the Sky Bet League One season at Colchester.

“Nothing has really advanced with him,” Johnson said this morning. “We will just have to see how it pans out.

“He has done really well and I am impressed with him. He has been a very positive influence.”

Of the other two trialists who appeared in the Huddersfield game, Michael Rolandos did well in Athletic’s behind-closed-doors friendly draw at Blackburn Rovers on Monday and will continue training with the club.

Former Stoke centre-back Ben Heneghan, though, has been let go by Athletic.

One man who is still waiting for a chance to impress Johnson at the moment is his former Bristol City team-mate David Noble, with an injury still preventing the 32-year-old from taking to the training field.

“He is way off in terms of fitness,” said Johnson. “He is not one we are thinking about right at the moment.”

David Mellor (foot) is nursing a slight knock picked up in the Blackburn game, but is expected to be fit for Colchester, and there are no other injury problems for Johnson to contend with.

Jack Truelove is set to go out on loan to Stalybridge Celtic in the Vanarama Conference North, initially for a month.

The left-back (18), who signed a one-year professional deal in the summer, missed all of last season with a knee injury and is currently on his way back to match fitness.

Truelove played his first full 90 minutes since his injury in Athletic’s friendly at Blackburn on Monday. The game finished 2-2, with Athletic up against a strong Rovers line-up featuring David Dunn and Rudy Gestede.

“It will be a good move for Jack,” said Johnson. “There is a good manager there (Keith Briggs), a good playing surface and and a high standard of football where he will be up against men.

“That’s exactly what we want and it is important that he goes there and impresses.”