Latics bide their time

ATHLETIC are still playing a waiting game as their summer rebuilding programme remains in a state of limbo.

Manager Dave Penney has deals for four players provisionally agreed with agents.

And it is a case of the players returning from holiday and putting pen to paper before names can be revealed.

Penney remains confident some of the deals will be completed this week. He has made two signings so far while nine players have left Boundary Park.

Midfield man Jon Worthington and utility player Rob Purdie are the only new arrivals to date.

Athletic will visit Bury for a friendly on Saturday, July 18 which completes their pre-season line up.

The full programme: Monday, July 13, Hyde United (A); Thursday, July 16, Halifax Town (A); Saturday, July 18, Bury (A); Tuesday, July 21, Macclesfield Town (A); Saturday, July 25, Sunderland (H); Tuesday, July 28, Stalybridge Celtic (A); Wednesday, July 29, Bradford Park Avenue (A); Saturday, August 1, Blackpool (H).

Meanwhile, Athletic will benefit from a rule change, passed at the Football League’s annual meeting in Portugal.

Clubs voted narrowly to fall in line with the Premier League by allowing seven substitutes in the new season as opposed to five.

It is to be mandatory for clubs from 2010/11 to have either undersoil heating or covers to protect the whole pitch. Athletic already comply by possessing covers.

Athletic chief executive Alan Hardy has also been appointed to the management committee of the totesport.com League of which Athletic reserves will compete in the forthcoming season.