Latics ponder Price’s future

JASON PRICE: Athletic may extend the Millwall forward’s loan spell for another month or until the end of the season.

ATHLETIC will make a decision today on the future of loan striker Jason Price.

The Millwall man’s loan spell is now up after a return of one goal in seven appearances for the club, culminating in his withdrawal from the action after just over an hour in the draw at Exeter City.

Though the 32-year-old’s goal tally isn’t impressive, his work-rate is and Penney may seek to extend the deal either for a further month or until the end of the season.

Millwall manager Kenny Jackett has already stated that he has no problem with Price staying on at Boundary Park.

But with five loan spots now taken up at Athletic — the maximum number allowed in any matchday squad — Penney could opt to release Price and focus his energies on bringing in a new face in what is a do-or-die month for the club as far as their Coca-Cola League One survival hopes are concerned.

The window for loans closes for the season on March 25, but as long as a player is already registered with a club a loan deal can be extended after that date.

A run of five home matches in six games starts tomorrow with the visit of Leyton Orient (7.45pm kick-off).

Athletic officials are “hopeful” that the game will go ahead as planned, though overnight frost has penetrated covers placed over the pitch and there are particular concerns over the sections that are in shadow.

Frost covers will be removed today in an attempt to thaw out the playing surface before being put back on tonight.

Keigan Parker (groin strain) and Alex Marrow (illness) were unavailable for the Exeter trip but both could be back in contention for tomorrow, along with Jim Goodwin (thigh).

Goalkeeping hero Dean Brill, who saved a last-minute penalty to preserve a point for Athletic at Exeter, deflected the attention away from himself and towards the rest of the side — with a rare goal from captain Sean Gregan becoming a big talking point after the game.

“Goalkeepers get the acclaim for moments like that which don’t happen so often,” Brill said.

“But the real heroes were the 11, 12 or 13 players who stuck together to get us a point.

“Gregs was in the changing room afterwards trying to settle his boots down — he said they were on fire!

“The way Gregs strikes the ball, if you want it to fall to anyone in the penalty area it is him.”