Door ajar for Winchester

STAYING PUT? . . . Carl Winchester is still highly rated by Latics boss Stephen Robinson

CARL Winchester could yet have a future as an Athletic player, while the ongoing hunt for a new striker continues as deadline day looms.

Athletic's longest-serving player, Winchester (23) had been linked with a transfer after finding himself frozen out of first-team contention under manager Stephen Robinson.

He has yet to make an appearance in this, his seventh season, but was a non-playing member of the Athletic squad that travelled to Bury on Saturday.

Now, with the prospects of a switch receding, the Northern Ireland international has been challenged to step up his game and force his boss's hand.

"We thought Carl was going to leave the club," said Robinson, who tonight takes his side to Preston in an EFL Cup second-round tie (7.45pm kick-off).

"He is a boy I have so much time for who hasn't quite done it in recent years.

"If Carl stays here, then I will work with him and make him into a better footballer - as long as Carl buys into that."

Robinson knows Winchester better than most, having worked with him extensively within the Northern Ireland age group squads, and he may get his chance to impress soon as the fixtures continue to pile up.

It is still not clear when a new forward will be arriving, though.

Athletic had been confident of landing their intended Premier League loan target this week, but it now appears that the player's parent club will be holding onto him for the time being with the intention of loaning him out at the end of the month.

There are two other striker possibilities for Robinson - one from the top flight and the other from another big club - and a tough decision needs to be made as he seeks to add competition to a front line that comprises Lee Erwin, Billy Mckay, Darius Osei and out-of-favour Jake Cassidy.

With the transfer window shutting on of August 31, fringe players could leave. The manager spent Friday evening watching Manchester City's youngsters see off Arsenal 1-0 thanks to a Rodney Kongolo goal and says that the hunt for fresh faces will not stop.

"We are still looking and if people become available who will enhance the squad, then I have to go cap-in-hand to the owner Simon (Corney) and beg for a bit more money," added Robinson

"We are actively looking and I went to watch the Manchester City under-23s game on Friday night and have a lot of contacts in the game.

"You can't stand still. One victory isn't going to change our work ethic and what we are trying to do."

Given Athletic's punishing schedule, Robinson indicated he will make changes to the team tonight. Jamie Reckord is still missing with an infection while Mckay also sits the game out with a slight injury related to fatigue.

"Preston are a good, goods side. Make no mistake about it. We are the underdogs and we are expected to go there and lose.

"But within our group of people and staff we have our own expectations.

"We hope to go there and give them a good game."

Athletic (possible, 4-1-2-1-2): Ripley; Wilson, Clarke, Edmundson, Burgess; Klok; Croft, Banks; Flynn; Erwin, Osei. Subs (from): Kettings, Law, Brown, Dunne, Fane, Woodland, Green, Mantack, McLaughlin, Winchester, Cassidy.