Latics wary of transfer embargo

ATHLETIC will have to work carefully to bring in new players to side-step another transfer embargo.

Manager Lee Johnson is tracking a striker and the hope is a deal can be reached after the big Peterborough clash tomorrow. Introducing another defender as cover is also a possibility.

But Athletic is close to the limit for payments to players — clubs are permitted to pay out no more than 65 per cent of turnover — it is likely fringe players will have to move on to accommodate arrivals.

Athletic chairman Simon Corney revealed to the Chronicle that an embargo was temporarily placed on the club last season as a result of overspending.

“We would have to look at getting one or two out or on loan,” Corney said. “We are restricted. The rules are based on income and our crowds are low. We have had warning letters that we are close to our limit.

“It isn’t public knowledge but we were placed under embargo back in January.

“The Football League is right to do this though; it helps to stop clubs going into administration.”

“All we can do is try to produce results, which will bring in more people, generating extra revenue to help us get better players. It is a chicken and egg situation.”

Last season, Athletic’s profitable run to the third round of the FA Cup and the release of big-earner Adam Rooney to Aberdeen helped to lift the embargo.

Meanwhile, George Elokobi has a small tear in a thigh muscle that will keep him out of action for three to four weeks.

“It is up to us to manage George not to come back too quickly,” Johnson said. “What we don’t want is for what happened to Genseric Kusunga last year to recur.”

Athletic’s manager has had approval from Bolton boss Dougie Freedman to keep young striker Conor Wilkinson beyond the expiry of his youth loan after the Walsall game on Saturday, October 11.