Byfield exit to open options

DARREN BYFIELD - failed to win extended contract

ATHLETIC’S decision to release striker Darren Byfield is being viewed as another step towards a late flurry of transfer activity before the window shuts on Tuesday.

Dave Penney admitted the decision to release the 32-year-old striker, who had been on a week-to-week contract, was influenced by the arrival of loan-signing Nick Blackman.

“We need to channel our team’s resources and the style we play in a different direction,” explained the Athletic manager.

The decision to release Byfield and the departures of Chris O’Grady, Lewis Alessandra and Dale Stephens on loan ought to free funds for Penney to strengthen his squad.

Byfield had a loan spell with Athletic last season when he scored once in eight appearances between November and January.

He went back to Championship club Doncaster Rovers from whom he was released at the end of the season.

Byfield reappeared at Boundary Park two days before the start of the season, but managed only one start at Carlisle in the Carling Cup and a substitute outing at Leyton Orient.

Athletic reserves open their totesport.com League campaign tonight against Preston North End at Bamber Bridge (7.0).

Coach Lee Duxbury has yet to finalise his team, but it is likely to include squad players like Kelvin Lomax, Paul Black, Ryan Brooke, Chris Rowney and keeper Przemyslaw Kazimierczak.