Make your mind up time

ATHLETIC have given potential signing Kevin Maher a deadline to accept their contract offer.

Manager John Sheridan wants an answer from the 31-year-old midfield man and warned he would drop his interest if no deal is struck in the next two days.

Maher — freed by Southend after 10 years of service — is a target for clubs including Swindon and Gillingham, where he has been training in pre-season.

Athletic made him an offer last week, but Sheridan said: “We’ve had no response yet and I’m not going to leave it too long.

“He’s a player I like, but I’ll give it until the Derby game (at Boundary Park on Wednesday night) and then start looking elsewhere.”

Sheridan wants to sign a creative midfielder despite already adding Danny Whitaker, Dale Stephens and Kieran Lee to Athletic’s engine room.

He is also hunting for a left-back and is likely to conclude a long-term loan deal for Stoke City’s Jamaican international Demar Phillips.

Saturday’s win at Grimsby (match report on Page 22) saw Phillips — who is available for the whole of next season — handed his first game for Athletic.

He gave an eye-catching display in his specialist position as a left winger, the role usually occupied by home-grown Chris Taylor.

Athletic also welcomed back Lee Hughes, who played the final quarter-hour on his return from a long-term groin problem.

Hughes had been out since January, while Mark Crossley, Sean Gregan and Andy Liddell had their first taste of pre-season action.

Sheridan said: “I like winning any game, even a friendly, and I was pleased with the lads who played the first half.

“In the second half we looked a bit tired, which can happen at this stage because you think you are fit but it’s totally different when you start playing games.

“I was happy with aspects of our game and pleased with Demar Phillips — he looked positive and gives us balance.

“We haven’t really worked on team shape yet, but that will start against Derby on Wednesday.”

The funeral of Ernie Cooksey, who recently lost his battle against cancer at the age of 28, took place in London this morning.

Athletic were represented by Sheridan, chief executive Alan Hardy, managing director Simon Corney and chairman Simon Blitz, while a number of fans also attended.

Athletic’s players are staging a cricket match at Delph this evening (5pm start) and supporters are welcome to go along.