Athletic deny windfall claim

ATHLETIC have denied reports that the club is in for a big cash windfall should Danny Philliskirk make his Chelsea debut tonight.

The 18-year-old, a product of Athletic’s Centre of Excellence, has been included in the Chelsea squad for the first time for tonight’s Champions League home clash with Apoel Nicosia.

And a national newspaper report this morning claimed that the club could scoop £2million if the attacking midfielder makes his first-team debut at Stamford Bridge.

“I wish it were true,” Athletic chief executive Alan Hardy told the Chronicle, laughing off the possibility of the club landing such a vast sum.

Philliskirk, son of Boundary Park youth supremo Tony, signed a four-year deal with Chelsea when aged 16 at a cost to the West London club of an initial fee believed to be around £150,000.

The agreement also included extra fees for everything from first-team appearances through to international honours. Athletic are also believed to hold a sell-on clause.

Having trained with Chelsea’s first team over the weekend, Philliskirk will find out later today if coach Carlo Ancelotti has selected him, most likely on the bench, for the game at Stamford Bridge.

His chances are improved by the likelihood of Ancelotti resting stars like John Terry, Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole tonight, with Chelsea having already qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League.

On the Athletic front, first-team men Chris Taylor (hamstring) and Reuben Hazell (calf) could both be back in action after injury a week on Saturday, when Athletic face an away test at Wycombe Wanderers in Coca-Cola League One.

Athletic’s Wednesday afternoon Reserve game against Rochdale has been postponed, due to Rochdale’s participation in the FA Youth Cup 3rd Round at Aston Villa.

A rescheduled date will be announced in due course.