United striker in Latics link

FEBIAN Brandy is put under pressure by captain Sean Gregan in Athletic’s League One fixture at Gillingham in November. The challenge led to a penalty.

ATHLETIC will resume attempts to nail down a deal for a striker today, having been defeated in their bid to sign Liverpool teenager Nathan Eccleston.

The 19-year-old former Failsworth School pupil, who has played twice for the first team at Anfield this season, instead joined Coca-Cola League One rivals Huddersfield Town on a month’s loan and scored on debut as his new team defeated Yeovil 1-0 on Saturday.

The disappointment leaves Athletic boss Dave Penney frustrated in the long-running search for a new frontman, but there could be light at the end of the tunnel.

A mystery Premier League forward has been targeted and though he initially told Athletic officials he doesn’t want to go out on loan at the moment, there are hopes that he will have a change of heart today.

One man who could be on Athletic’s hit-list is Manchester United striker Febian Brandy.

The lively 20-year-old, who won a match-winning penalty for Gillingham against Penney’s side earlier this season, has been given the green light by his parent club to join another side for the rest of the season and he has already turned down the chance to return to the Gills.

The deadline for permanent signings expires at 5pm today, though clubs can still bring players in on loan after that.

One man who is set to commit his immediate future to Athletic is Jim Goodwin. The midfielder or right-back, on loan from Huddersfield, will extend his loan spell to a second month ahead of tomorrow night’s clash with his old club Stockport County.

That clash at Edgeley Park (7.45pm kick-off) is one of two vital games in a week for Athletic, with a visit to fellow strugglers Tranmere Rovers in store on Saturday.

The game at home to Brentford which was scheduled to take place at Boundary Park at the weekend was called off by referee Tony Bates as a result of a frozen playing surface.

The frost covers had been laid down by ground staff on Friday lunchtime when conditions were perfect. But subzero temperatures, which lasted until Saturday lunchtime, left the section of the pitch in front of the main stand rock hard and unplayable.