Latics line up Phillips deal

LEAVING defenders in his wake in the friendly at Grimbsy, Demar Phillips is being lined up by Athletic for a long-term loan spell.

ATHLETIC have opened talks with Stoke City about signing winger Demar Phillips on long-term loan.

Officials at Boundary Park are hoping to strike a deal with the Premier League new boys, who signed Phillips from Jamaican club Waterhouse last summer for a ‘substantial’ fee.

The 24-year-old was handed a three-year contract by boss Tony Pulis, but he rarely featured in Stoke’s promotion campaign – and Athletic plan to take advantage.

They have been impressed with Phillips during friendly games against Grimsby and Derby, prompting manager John Sheridan to follow up his interest.

Sheridan said: “The lad has done well and it’s a question of finding out exactly what the situation is.

“Stoke have been in Austria (on a pre-season tour), but Tony Pulis was good enough to let us look at him and I like what I’ve seen so far.”

Phillips, a regular feature in the Jamaican national team, would become Athletic’s eighth new recruit since the end of last season.

They have already brought in Kieran Lee, Greg Fleming, Chris O’Grady, Danny Whitaker, Dale Stephens, Kevin Maher and David Williams.

Striker Williams (17) is initially pencilled in for the youth team and reserves, but Athletic have a substantial number of professionals from which to choose.

And Sheridan – still aiming to add a left-back to his list of arrivals – admits he is facing some tough decisions.

He said: “It’s a big squad and people are going to be disappointed if they aren’t in the team, or sometimes even on the bench.

“It’s up to me to decide my best 11 and get them on the pitch. Once they are in the team, it should be a battle to stay there.

“There are plenty of bodies and, if you look at the squad, I’ve near enough got two players for each position.”

Athletic’s next pre-season game is at home to Premier League opposition as they tackle Hull next Tuesday.




TICKETS for the Carling Cup tie at Rochdale on August 12 are now on open sale at Boundary Park.

Prices are £15 (adults) and £10 (under-16s and over-65s), while under-7s can gain free admission but must be in possession of a ticket.