Deal us in!

Amari-Morgan Smith (right) celebrates his goal with ÛÛDominic Poleon. PICTURE by ALAN HOWARTH

ATHLETIC manager Lee Johnson expects to keep star defender James Wilson beyond tonight’s 11pm deadline, while holding some hope of bringing in two new faces to the squad.

Johnson admitted in the Chronicle last week that the club had fielded a firm enquiry for an unidentified player and that he refused to rule out a sale.

Athletic’s boss expects that Wilson (25), whose option for a

further year’s contract running to summer 2016 kicked in after the Gillingham game, will stay on at SportsDirect.com Park.

“I wouldn’t say his form has been great of late. Had I been asked 10 or 15 games ago, I would have said we had no chance of keeping him,” said Johnson on his former Bristol City colleague, a quick and accomplished defender but who was badly at fault in the 7-0 thrashing at MK Dons.

“James is sometimes a little up and down. He was excellent again against Notts County and with George Elokobi next to him. When they are good they are very good and when not on song they can be a bit all over the shop.

“Another clean sheet will give them confidence.”

One piece of business that appears set to take place today is a loan switch for out-of-favour defender David Mellor. He is set to sign on loan for Conference outfit Halifax Town.

Johnson, who on Friday snapped up Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Jake Kean on a loan deal running to the end of the season, said this morning he is “hopeful” of doing a couple of deals for new players without being overly confident.

Athletic also recently brought in Jacob Mellis on loan. With Jonathan Forte making a scoring return to the side, the manager’s options have increased.

Joseph Mills is available again for the trip to Barnsley tomorrow and the main concern is the injury to Amari Morgan-Smith late in the first half on Saturday.

“Hopefully, it will be okay,” Johnson said on Morgan-Smith. “We have to assess it over 48 hours but he did tweak his hamstring a bit.”