Stephens loan deal extended

DALE STEPHENS: Staying at Spotland.

ATHLETIC have sanctioned the loan of Dale Stephens to Rochdale for a second month.

The 21-year-old midfield player was allowed to leave Boundary Park because of a lack of first-team opportunities with Athletic.

There will be a recall clause in the loan extension whereby Athletic can bring the player back at 24 hours notice.

Stephens, a signing from Bury for an undisclosed fee in the summer of 2008, has yet to make his competitive debut for Athletic after an injury-plagued first campaign.

Stephens has managed only one appearance for Dale so far, a dramatic debut at Morecambe where he came off the bench to score in a 3-3 draw after they cancelled out a three-goal deficit.

During his time at Bury, Stephens made 12 first-team appearances, scoring once, and came to the attention of several clubs before Athletic stepped in to sign him.

Athletic striker Chris O’Grady is also on loan at Spotland.

Kieran Lee and Danny Whitaker were the two most senior players to feature for the reserves in last night’s totesport.com League match against Tranmere Rovers at Cammell Laird.

The development squad, as it is known, came from behind to win 2-1 with Ryan Brooke and Hungarian Norbert Csiki on target for Lee Duxbury’s side.