Winger linked with move north

Photo: Max Flego

JAMES Dayton attempts to force the ball into the penalty area during Saturday’s defeat by Gillingham.

OUT OF favour winger James Dayton could be set for a move out of Athletic.

The 26-year-old winger, out of contract in the summer, has been linked with moves back to the Scottish Premiership.

Motherwell had reportedly set up a swap deal involving Dayton and a former target of Athletic’s, midfielder Iain Vigurs. The switch reportedly hit the buffers: Vigurs broke down in training as he attempted to recover from injury. But St Mirren, struggling in 11th place in the table one spot below Motherwell, are said to be close to securing Dayton.

Ex-Kilmarnock man Dayton has been a victim of manager Lee Johnson’s diamond formation in midfield this season. With full-backs rather than out-and-out wingers relied on for attacking width outside a midfield diamond, Dayton has made 22 appearances for Athletic in 2014-15, and has started only eight times. He was last named in the starting XI in the league for the 1-0 loss at Bristol City in November.

Dayton said recently: “I need to be playing, either at Oldham or elsewhere.”

With Johnson hunting down new signings, it is unlikely he will stand in Dayton’s way - providing a replacement can quickly be acquired. The transfer deadline is on February 2, though the loan window reopens a week later.

Cristian Montano has accused Athletic of double standards in sacking him but trying to sign convicted rapist Ched Evans.

Montano (23) intends to sue the club in the coming weeks. He was sacked in December 2013 though the Crown Prosecution Service dropped its investigation into spot-fixing earlier that month.

“There were accusations but I was innocent,” Montano told the BBC.

“But then Oldham attempted to sign Ched Evans. I was down, they treated me as they did and then they go and do what they did.”


JORDAN Bove has extended his loan spell at Colwyn Bay to the end of the season.

The 19-year-old striker has made one senior appearance for Athletic this season, scoring the winning goal in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie as a substitute against Bradford.

Left-back Jack Truelove, who had also been on loan at the Vanarama North club, has returned to Athletic.


ATHLETIC’S postponed home clash with Rochdale has been rearranged for March 24.