Harkins in the frame to return

Reporter: MATTHEW CHAMBERS
Date published: 26 June 2014


ATHLETIC manager Lee Johnson believes his chase for Gary Harkins will be successful.

Johnson — currently trying to nail down a deal for another elusive player — says the popular Scot’s contractual situation at St Mirren isn’t quite at a conclusion.

Harkins (29) still has a year on his deal with the Scottish premiership club. But Athletic reckon they are front-runners to snap up the ex-Partick, Dundee and Kilmarnock playmaker once he becomes a free agent.

“We are trying to get him back,” Johnson confirmed to the Chronicle. “There are things to sort out and it probably won’t happen soon, but I think it will happen.”

Harkins was a crowd-pleaser during his loan period at Boundary Park last season. He scored five goals, including one in the amazing 5-4 comeback win over Peterborough, and tormented opposing right-backs with his skills.

There were concerns over his workrate, but Harkins’ ability to unlock defences is his chief atraction and Johnson wants it for Athletic when the first game of the new season kicks off at Colchester on August 9.

Athletic’s players convened for the first day of their pre-season programme today. The squad was undergoing tests by fitness chief Anthony White.

A trio of trialists — Mamady Sidibe, William Gros and Nicky Featherstone — will link up with the rest of the players on Monday. Johnson also has other trialists waiting on the touchline.