Striker search draws a blank

ATHLETIC are heading towards a dead end in their bid to make new loan signings this week.

Chief executive Alan Hardy admitted today that the search for players who can appear in Saturday’s FA Cup game at Cheltenham is set to go unrewarded.

Athletic are being linked with several well-known figures including Dean Windass and Darren Byfield but, so far, they have been unable to find anyone who fits the bill.

Recruits must come with permission to play in the cup, otherwise Athletic will wait until next week.

Mr Hardy said: “We’ve made it clear we would like to get somebody in, and the manager (John Sheridan) has been making numerous enquiries about strikers.

“We would want them to be eligible for the FA Cup, but at the moment John isn’t able to make any progress.”

Athletic may have to rely on three home-grown forwards when they launch their cup campaign at Whaddon Road.

Lee Hughes is banned and they are still waiting to hear whether Brett Ormerod’s full-time club, Preston North End, will give the go-ahead for him to play.

If not, two out of Lewis Alessandra (19), Deane Smalley (20) and Matt Wolfenden (21) will be asked to carry the burden up front.

Alessandra has scored four goals this term, while Smalley hit a late equaliser at Colchester at the end of August. Injuries have kept Wolfenden on the sidelines.

Athletic could even involve trainee striker Ryan Brooke, who recently celebrated his 18th birthday and has been prolific in the youth team this season.

Brooke was an unused substitute for a league match in April when Athletic were going through an injury crisis.

Meanwhile, Richie Byrne’s future at Boundary Park remains uncertain.

Byrne becomes a free agent tomorrow at the end of his one-month contract, but he is still ruled out by injury.

A hamstring problem has forced the defender to miss four games since he limped out of the home draw against Leicester.

Tonight sees Athletic go to Fleetwood Town in the first round of the FA Youth Cup.


HUDDERSFIELD Town, who parted company with manager Stan Ternent yesterday, are being strongly linked with a move for Aidy Boothroyd.

The former Terriers defender was sacked by Watford this week.