Liddell accepts Latics pay-off

Andy Liddell has played his last game for Athletic.

ANDY LIDDELL has left Athletic after having his contract terminated by the Boundary Park club.

The decision to release the 35-year-old was taken after manager Joe Royle decided he wants to look to the future in the remaining five league games.

Royle is keen to have a close look at the likes of Kieran Lee and Dale Stephens, who is back in action after a lengthy lay-off.

Liddell was unlikely to be offered a new deal when his contract expired this summer and chief executive Alan Hardy said: “We sat down with Andy and discussed his situation with the result that we have terminated his contract. An agreement was reached on a settlement and Andy has left the club with immediate effect.”

Leeds-based Liddell joined Athletic in the summer of 2005 after manager Ronnie Moore moved swiftly when a move to Stoke City collapsed. He went on to make 144 appearances for Athletic during his four seasons at the club, finding the net 33 times including eight in the current campaign.

He has hardly featured in the second half of the season and in the four games since Joe Royle returned managed only one brief substitute appearance at Leyton Orient.

In two of the other matches Liddell failed to make the matchday 16 as he found himself out in the cold.

Liddell, capped by Scotland at under-21 level, kicked off his illustrious career at Barnsley, for whom he played in the Premier League. He later appeared for Wigan Athletic and Sheffield United.

Athletic have new injury worries for their Easter programme.

Defenders Kelvin Lomax (dead leg) and Daniel Jones (swollen toe) are under treatment, along with goalkeeper Shane Supple (jarred knee).

Midfield man Ian Westlake is suffering from concussion after a bang to his head during Saturday’s home game against Peterborough.

Westlake completed yesterday’s training session but then complained of feeling dizzy.

He has been examined by physio Marc Czuczman and the club doctor and was told to sit out training today.

Striker Steven Kabba’s hopes of featuring in this weekend’s games have received a lift as he resumed full training after missing two matches with a hamstring strain.

Meanwhile, four second-year scholars have been awarded professional contracts for next season.

Goalkeeper Josh Ollerenshaw, defender Liam Dawson, midfielder Chris Rowney and striker Ryan Brooke have been kept on after impressing head of youth Tony Philliskirk, but midfielder Nathan Kilcourse has been released.