Midfield man in deal tonic

Carl Winchester

CARL Winchester is to stay on with Athletic for next season.

The 23-year-old Northern Ireland international, who hails from Belfast, has signed an extension to his current deal to keep him at the club for 2016-17.

Winchester, who had a difficult season last time out after excelling the year before, has to date made 125 appearances for Athletic since making his debut under Paul Dickov six years ago, scoring seven times.

The midfield man hit a crucial winning goal from 25 yards out for Athletic in the 1-0 win at Shrewsbury this season, earning three vital points in the battle against relegation.

And the news of his sticking around provides a timely boost for supporters who are still reeling from the disappointment of losing popular manager John Sheridan to Notts County.

Goalkeeper Joel Coleman has also moved on, to Huddersfield, while talks have taken place with Everton over a transfer for teenage shot-stopper Chris Renshaw.

Athletic's hunt for a new boss continues and the club still hope to be in a position to confirm an appointment by Monday.

Interviews have taken place this week, including with odds-on favourite for the job, Huddersfield under-21s coach Frank Bunn.

The Chronicle can also reveal that Athletic have now paid salaries to all players for last month, after some encountered a delay in money reaching accounts.

The cash-strapped club encountered short-term pay problems back in December of last year and similar difficulties have reared up again.

However, the club have stressed that those affected have been kept fully abreast of developments and that there are no outstanding issues.

"Nearly all players have been paid, with the remainder due to be paid last Friday (June 3)," an Athletic spokesperson told the Chronicle. "They are being paid today (Wednesday). Those affected have been kept informed."

Players are traditionally paid on the final Friday of each month, though of late Athletic are understood to have started to pay employees on the final day of each month.

ATHLETIC will travel to play Grimsby Town in the fourth confirmed pre-season fixture.

The clash at the Blundell Park pits the visitors against a Mariners side who are back in the Football League, thanks to a 3-1 win over Forest Green in the National League Play-Off final at Wembley.

The clash takes place on Saturday, July 30 (3pm).