Eardley could be on his way out
Reporter: BOB YOUNG
Date published: 23 July 2009
Neal Eardley: Starting the final year of his Boundary Park contract. Athletic
ATHLETIC’S signing of the versatile Andy Holdsworth could pave the way for Wales international defender Neal Eardley to leave the club.
Holdsworth, who can play right-back or midfield, has penned a two-year deal at Boundary Park and gives manager Dave Penney valuable options should Eardley depart.
The former Huddersfield captain (25) turned down approaches from League One rivals Millwall and from Bradford City, where he had been training and playing pre-season games.
He could team up with another Huddersfield man in striker Kiegan Parker who, it is hoped, will formally sign for Athletic today after negotiating his release from the final year of his contract at the Galpharm Stadium.
Meanwhile, Blackpool and Derby County are the latest in a growing list of clubs showing interest in signing Athletic’s talented full-back Eardley.
The Llandudno-born defender, a product of the club’s successful youth system, was named by fellow professionals in last season’s League One all-star team and Athletic do not particularly want to lose him.
However, Eardley - 21 in November - has so far shown no signs of agreeing to a new contract at Boundary Park when his present deal runs out at the end of the forthcoming season.
Athletic are anxious to avoid a situation similar to that they suffered when striker Chris Porter rejected new terms and moved for nothing to Motherwell.
Summer signing Rob Purdie is to see a specialist about the stomach- muscle problem which has kept him out of Athletic’s warm-up games so far.
The 26-year-old midfielder/defender has returned to training but is still hampered by the injury, which it is thought may be a trapped nerve.
Athletic are still hopeful Purdie will play some part in Saturday’s home game against Premier League outfit Sunderland (kick-off 3pm).
Admission prices for this weekend’s friendly are £10 adults, £5 for OAPs and 12 to 16-year-old and £3 for under-12s.
Alternatively, fans can purchase a joint ticket at £15, £7 and £4 which gains them entry to both the Sunderland match and the game against Blackpool at Boundary Park on Saturday, August 1.
FORMER Athletic striker Lee Hughes has joined Coca-Cola League Two outfit Notts County on a two-year deal.
The 33-year-old frontman is the first player to make the move to Meadow Lane since ex-England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson was appointed director of football earlier this week.
