Athletic linked with swoop for Spurr

Tommy Spurr in action for Blackburn Rovers

Athletic are believed to be in a race to secure the signature of yet another Preston North End player on loan until the end of next season, but it seems they face stiff competition.

Reports suggest Athletic are one of a number of clubs interested in former Sheffield Wednesday left-back Tommy Spurr, who appears to be out of favour at the Deepdale club.

Athletic have found Preston to be a happy hunting ground for new recruits in the past season after they secured striker Eoin Doyle and midfielder Ben Pringle from Deepdale.

However, the pair couldn’t stop the club from dropping into League Two at the end of the 2017/18 campaign.

It’s far from a done deal that Spurr will be able to be added to Frankie Bunn’s squad though, with League One Sunderland also said to be in the hunt for the defender.

It would mark a major signing for Athletic should they pull it off, but it’s thought Sunderland are in the driving seat.

The Leeds-born 30-year-old began his career at Sheffield Wednesday, making almost 200 appearances for the club before moving to Doncaster Rovers in 2011 and then onto Blackburn Rovers two years later.

He signed for Preston in 2016, and has made 22 appearances for the club, but is thought he will be on the fringes of the first team rather than at the heart of manager Alex Neil’s plans.