Phillips move on brink of collapse

Jamaican international Demar Phillips

ATHLETIC’S move for Stoke City winger Demar Phillips is on the brink of falling through.

Despite lengthy negotiations, the clubs have still failed to agree financial terms for Phillips to join on loan.

The Jamaican international (pictured above) has been at Boundary Park for almost a month and played in four of Athletic’s pre-season friendlies.

Manager John Sheridan remains keen to bring him in, but Athletic are reluctant to stretch their budget too far after making a host of signings during the close-season.

The chances of a deal being struck appear to be dwindling, although Sheridan could provide some leeway by sending a handful of fringe players out on loan.

Athletic are also trying to offload midfield man JP Kalala before the transfer window closes at the end of this month.

Sheridan, meanwhile, has warned his side to expect a tough battle in tonight’s Carling Cup first-round clash with Rochdale.

The two local rivals haven’t met in competitive action since 1974, but Rochdale came within one game of promotion last season when they lost to Stockport in the League Two play-off final.

They also have a reputation for fluent attacking football and a squad featuring two former Athletic youngsters in Kallum Higginbotham and Marcus Holness.

Sheridan said: “Rochdale pass the ball well, have players who can score goals and won a lot of home games last season.

“This is a difficult game, but I’m sure there will be a great atmosphere with so many of our fans in the ground.

“I want to have a good run in the Carling Cup because it’s an important competition. There’s no way I’m taking it lightly.

“It’s important to get through the early rounds and hope for a glamour tie further on, so we are definitely going there to win.”

As seven substitutes are allowed, Sheridan is likely to add Deane Smalley and Dale Stephens to the 16-man squad he named against Millwall on Saturday.

The tie is strictly all-ticket and these are available from Boundary Park until 4.30pm. Athletic will have a following of up to 3,000.

ATHLETIC (from): Crossley, Eardley, Hazell, Gregan, Lomax, Liddell, Allott, Maher, Taylor, Davies, O’Grady, Stam, Whitaker, Hughes, Alessandra, Smalley, Stephens, Fleming.

ROCHDALE (from): Russell, Ramsden, Stanton, McArdle, Kennedy, Wiseman, Jones, Keltie, Rundle, Le Fondre, Dagnall, Higginbotham, Thorpe, Spencer, Toner, Holness, Buckley, Lambert.