Latics step up player search

 THREE more players are needed for Athletic before the start of the season and the club are scouring the loan market, director Anthony Gee has revealed.

London-based Gee travelled to Scotland to spend part of this week watching the existing squad being put through its paces as a representative of the club's hierarchy.

Gavin Gunning is currently being scrutinised within the camp and is one man manager Darren Kelly would like to sign.

The possibility of Brian Wilson leaving for Notts County could free up cash for an additional defender – potentially from the Premier League or Championship.

Former St Mirren man Marc McAusland had been on trial with Athletic before leaving last week.

And with only James Wilson and George Edmundson on the books as recognised and currently fit centre-backs, the need to strengthen in that area is clear.

Gee also said he would hope to bring in cover for captain Liam Kelly and stressed the need for the team to hit the ground running come the first game of the season at Walsall on Saturday, August 8.

“We are missing at least two centre-halves and probably another holding midfielder,” Gee said. “If Liam Kelly gets injured, it leaves a gap.

“In my view, we are short of leaders and need a couple of talkers.

“It is finding the right ones. We don't want to get players in who are going to be injury prone.

“Budget is not so much an issue. There is probably a bit of movement in the squad, in and out, between now and the end of August.

“Brian Wilson is one possibility to free up some spending and we also have great relationships with a lot of clubs who we are talking to about centre-halves – Premier League clubs and Championship clubs.

“Our view is, if you take a player on loan you want a very strong kid on the edge of the first team who they want to send out to have a good season. Send them here a boy and get a man back.

“We will see. Budget is always a moveable target for us and not something set in stone.

“We can't start the season with just James Wilson and George Edmundson as centre-backs, so we need at least another couple.”

After Walsall, Athletic's opening month of 2015-16 features a home Capital One Cup tie against Middlesbrough and league matches at home to Fleetwood and Shrewsbury and away to Bury.

“Until injuries really kicked in last season, we were right up there and looking strong,” Gee added. “We want to build on that now.

“On paper, the first five games are good for us. "We hope to start well at Walsall and it is always great if you can pick up seven, eight or nine points early which would be fantastic.

“What you don't want is a poor start and you are already under pressure.”

Athletic are in action on the final night of their Stirling stay later, with a game at Stirling Albion (7.30pm kick-off). On the injuries front, Jake Cassidy's calf strain keeps him out of the action for the time being, but Timothee Dieng has been given the all-clear after a scan on a leg injury. He should resume training soon.