Thompson told he can leave

JOHN THOMPSON: Made available for transfer

ATHLETIC are looking to offload at least two players before the transfer window closes on Monday.

Defender John Thompson has joined JP Kalala in being made available for free or on loan, while other members of the club’s shadow squad could also be on the move.

Athletic want to cut their wage bill, although manager John Sheridan hasn’t ruled out the possibility of adding a new face on loan.

Sheridan’s lengthy search for a left-back is still ongoing and enquiries have been made to fill the gap. There is also an Irish trialist at Boundary Park.

The news that Thompson can leave comes as no surprise as he has failed to win a place in the squad this term after seeing his first year with Athletic plagued by injuries.

The versatile Thompson (26), a free transfer from Nottingham Forest, managed only 12 appearances last season, but it’s understood at least one club has asked about signing him.

Meanwhile, Sheridan has all but confirmed he will make five changes to his starting XI when Athletic face Colchester tomorrow at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Mark Crossley, Sean Gregan, Andy Liddell, Lewis Alessandra and Lee Hughes, all of whom were rested for the midweek Carling Cup defeat against Burnley, are poised for recalls.

Sheridan said: “I’ve watched the video from Tuesday night and I’m happy with the way we played – it sounds stupid because we lost 3-0, but no way were Burnley the better team.

“I wanted to win and it wasn’t a case of me tinkering with the side, but at the same time I learned one or two things.

“Certain people are going to be massive for us this season, and I’m talking about Crossley, Liddell, Gregan and Hughes because they are experienced players who give out rollickings on the pitch.

“You can add Kevin Maher to that list, and these lads are going to be very important when we are under pressure or we need to be ready for a fight.”

Striker Craig Davies will be back in the squad at Colchester, but he is battling for a place on the subs’ bench after completing his three-match ban.

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

COLCHESTER (from): Gerken, White, Reid, Heath, Lockwood, Yeates, Izzet, Jackson, Wordsworth, Platt, Vernon, Gillespie, Hammond, Coyne, Wasiu, Elito, Cousins, Baldwin.