Almost there!

STEPHEN ROBINSON . . . work to do to bring in players

ATHLETIC'S manager-in-waiting Stephen Robinson will add a considerable boost to what the club believe will be a strong unit of coaching staff, as the spotlight is turned on player targets.

Motherwell assistant and Northern Ireland first-team coach Robinson (41) is expected to be rubber-stamped as John Sheridan's successor today and he is set to bring with him Ian Baraclough, his former boss at Motherwell.

The duo worked together when Baraclough was in charge at Well last year.

An additional vacancy on the staff opened up yesterday after Athletic confirmed the exit of Peter Shirtliff ­- see other story ­- and this has added an extra dimension to contract talks with work under way yesterday to bring in Baraclough.

Sean O'Driscoll will continue as director of football ­- he has not been handed a formal job title, at his own request, but has already impressed when taking charge of training sessions ­- and Athletic will continue to attempt to work towards getting players to commit to the club for 2016-17.

Athletic officials say that hard work is being done behind the scenes to finalise deals which offer the best possible value for money.

In addition to permanent signings, it is likely that Athletic's staff will look to work their contacts in order to bring in a number of loan signings from top clubs.

Athletic have a host of triallists on board. Names include experienced former Rochdale and Bury defender Tom Kennedy, ex-Accrington striker Billy Kee and goalkeeper Scott Brown, a free agent who was with Aberdeen last season.

THE format for the new-look EFL Trophy competition has been revealed.

Athletic will play three group games ­- one against an invited Premier League club from the Northern section of the draw, either home or away ­- in a tournament that guarantees clubs £10,000 per victory.

The top two from each group go through to the knock-out stages.

Athletic will face one of the invited North-based clubs in a group match, though Manchester United have declined the chance to participate.

Invited clubs must field a minimum of six under-21 players, while Athletic will need to put out a side featuring a minimum of five first-team men.

Penalty shoot-outs will be held if matches finish as a draw in the initial group stage, with an extra point going to the winners.

The new format has attracted plenty of criticism from supporters, with a campaign set up to boycott its fixtures.