County target Hughes

FREE-AGENT Lee Hughes could be on his way to ambitious Coca-Cola League Two club Notts County.

It is understood the 33-year-old striker, whose Athletic contract expired last week, has had talks with the Magpies.

Notts County are in the throes of being taken over by a Middle East consortium who have set a target of regaining Championship status within five years.

Manager Ian McParland has stated his priority is to sign a striker capable of scoring 20 goals a season, a return almost guaranteed from Hughes.

Hughes is training with Athletic pre-season after asking to return to Boundary Park until he gets fixed up with a new club.

Notts County have been busy in the transfer market, capturing central defender Graham Lee (Bradford City) and midfield man Nicky Ravenhill (Darlington) both of whom were also believed to be on Athletic’s wanted list.

Southampton striker Stern John is the latest striker to be linked with Athletic, though manager Dave Penney refused to confirm or deny those reports.

The future of John, who is out of contract at St Mary’s, is under a cloud along with all the Saints players until a proposed takeover is completed.

The 32-year-old John has played for Nottingham Forest, Birmingham City, Coventry City, Sunderland and Saints as well as playing for Trinidad and Tobago in the finals of the 2006 World Cup.

Penney is still looking to bring in a striker and central defender, though he says there is no rush with the new season still almost five weeks away.

As Athletic were today beginning their second week of pre-season training, Penney declared himself pleased with progress.

He said: “Usually you get one or two dropping out with injury niggles, but everyone has come through the first week unscathed .

“That is important because players who miss training at this stage of the season are left having to play catch-up.”