Latics set sights on Windass
Reporter: Michael Yarwood
Date published: 03 November 2008
ATHLETIC have confirmed their interest in signing Hull City striker Dean Windass.
Manager John Sheridan has lodged an official enquiry for the 39-year-old cult figure, but it appears highly unlikely that a deal will go through.
Sheridan wants to bring in two new faces this week — a striker and a defender — as Athletic now have four senior players out on loan.
Craig Davies has joined Stockport County until January, but the plan to replace him with Windass looks set to fall through.
Hull, who have made a tremendous start to the Premier League season, are reluctant to release anybody from their squad due to the constraints of the transfer window.
Windass has played little football this term, but he went on as a substitute against Chelsea last week and was also in the party who travelled to Saturday’s match at Manchester United.
Leeds, Bradford and Doncaster have also been linked with Windass, who holds legendary status at Hull and has scored well over 200 goals for his various clubs.
Sheridan said: “A lot of people are after Dean, but we’ve made an enquiry and we’ll see what comes of it.
“I’ve asked about other players as well and I’m definitely trying to bring a couple in this week — the players I’m looking at are in higher divisions.”
Sheridan also explained his decision to loan out Davies, who was Athletic’s top scorer last season but had recently been in and out of the side.
Fellow striker Chris O’Grady (to Bury), defender John Thompson (Notts County) and midfielder JP Kalala (Grimsby) have also left Boundary Park in temporary moves.
Sheridan said: “Craig needed a change of scenery and it was my decision to let him go.
“I know Stockport are in our league, but Craig hadn’t played much and he was very frustrated. It’s a good deal for both parties.”
Athletic will be without striker Lee Hughes for the FA Cup first-round tie at Cheltenham on Saturday.
Hughes picked up his fifth yellow card of the season during the weekend defeat to Yeovil, earning a one-match ban.
