Latics look at Trotman loan

NEAL TROTMAN (right): Could return to Boundary Park on loan.

ATHLETIC are believed to be exploring the possibility of re-signing one of their former players, Neal Trotman.

I understand there is a chance Athletic could land the 22-year-old central defender on a season-long loan.

Since Trotman joined Preston North End from Athletic in a £500,000 deal in January 2008, he has been bedevilled by injury and made only three first-team appearances.

Trotman has recovered from a succession of problems and spent a month on loan at League One rivals Colchester towards the end of the campaign which has just ended.

He made six appearances for the U’s and declares that he is finally over his injury blues.

Trotman still has two years left on his contract at Preston and says he is looking forward to returning to Deepdale fully fit for pre-season training.

But, as his opportunities are likely to be limited, especially after barely playing for the last 18 months, Preston may favour allowing him to leave to get a full season under his belt.

Trotman, released by Burnley as a youngster, was offered the chance to resurrect his career at Boundary Park and his first season saw him loaned to non-league Halifax Town for part of the campaign.

That experience held him in good stead as he broke into the first team early in the 2007/08 season and, after only 24 eye-catching first-team appearances, was sold to Preston in January 2008.

Meanwhile, Stefan Stam is confident he will soon be fixed up with a new club after recently being released by Athletic.

The 29-year-old Dutch defender has revealed he has already had interest from a number of teams.

Stam, who had been at Boundary Park almost four-and-a-half years, intends to return to English football.

“I have had interest from clubs in League One and League Two as well as from Holland though, ideally, I would like to come back here,” he said.

Stam admitted he is sad to be leaving after being at Boundary Park for so long.

“I had been really happy with Latics, but maybe the time had come for a change and to find a new environment,” he said.


THE deadline for discounted Latics season tickets is noon tomorrow.