Latics close in on loan ’keeper

SHANE SUPPLE: Targeted for Latics loan move.

NEW Athletic manager Joe Royle has made Ipswich Town goalkeeper Shane Supple his first transfer target.

Royle is working on a deal to bring in the Eire under-21 international in time for Saturday’s home Coca-Cola League One fixture against play-off rivals Tranmere.

Supple (21) has made 37 first-team appearances for the Suffolk side - he was handed his first-team debut by Royle in 2005 - and also four on loan at Scottish Premier League side Falkirk last season.

Jan Budtz’s return to Hartlepool following a one-month loan leaves Athletic short of cover between the posts.

Mark Crossley, who started the season as No 1, is still some way off returning following back surgery while Greg Fleming’s groin strain meant he could only sit on the bench at Milton Keynes where he would have only been used in an emergency on Saturday.

Royle has also made inquiries to Premier League clubs for two unidentified players.

“I’ve been told no so far . . . but I’ve not started pestering yet,” said the manager.

Athletic are still locked in discussions with Hull City over the future of loan striker Dean Windass.

I understand, however, the 39-year-old striker will not be returning to Boundary Park in any event.

The terms of the half-season loan means Windass, who has been disgruntled after being overlooked by Athletic in recent matches, cannot play first-team football for Hull for the remainder of the campaign.

Athletic are exploring the possibility of Windass returning to Hull in a coaching capacity with the reserves as that is something he is believed to be keen to do.

Neal Eardley has been selected for the full Wales side for World Cup qualifiers against Finland on March 28 and Germany on April 1.

Chief executive Alan Hardy has negotiated a 24-hour delay for Eardley reporting for international duty which means he can play at Cheltenham next Tuesday.

Eardley will miss the league match at Leyton Orient a week on Saturday, the day Wales play Finland.

Outgoing manager John Sheridan, speaking for the first time since his dismissal, does not believe the alcohol-fuelled incident at Belle Vue dog track had a bearing on his sacking.

“I would say performances and results have not been what we wanted as we were in a great position. We needed to win games, and weren’t doing that on a regular basis,” he said.

It’s a big night for Athletic tonight with a number of their play-off rivals in action. Tranmere are at Cheltenham, MK Dons play hosts to Millwall and Scunthorpe are at home to Hereford.