Forward would welcome Latics return

Photo: PICTURE by ALAN HOWARTH

PUT IT THERE: Conor Wilkinson (right) gets a high five from front-line partner Danny Philliskirk after his goal.

STRIKER Conor Wilkinson would relish the chance to rejoin Athletic if his club Bolton Wanderers will let him out on loan again.

Teenager Wilkinson completed a month-long loan on Saturday by scoring, at the seventh attempt, in the 2-1 victory over Walsall.

Wilkinson has impressed Athletic boss Lee Johnson throughout his time at SportsDirect.com park - and it appears the feeling is mutual.

Wilkinson said: “I have waited a long time for my goal to be honest, but I was over the moon when I saw the ball hit the back of the net.

“The Oldham lads have been terrific and really spurred me on, and the gaffer has been class throughout.

“He said to me before the game that he’d love to see me go away with a bang, and thankfully I’ve managed to do that. I’m just really pleased to have finally got off the mark.

“I’ll go back to Bolton and obviously I’ll have to see where I stand with the new manager. If I’m not going to be playing I'll be wanting to come back out on loan again - and if that was the case, hopefully I’d get the chance to come back to Oldham. I’d love to come back here.”

Manager Johnson said: “He’s been fantastic and hopefully we might be able to get him back sometime.”

Neil Lennon was appointed as Dougie Freedman’s replacement at Bolton yesterday.



ATHLETIC have been handed another home draw in the Northern section quarter-finals of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Lee Johnson’s men will host Preston — the team they knocked out of the competition last season — at SportsDirect.com Park during the week commencing November 10.

“It’s probably the toughest draw we could have had,” said Johnson. “But we’re at home and you can’t ask for anything more than that.”