Penney in for the Guy

LEWIS Guy, pictured scoring against Bristol Rovers, has impressed during his loan stay at Boundary Park.

Latics boss hints at move for frontman

LEWIS Guy could remain an Athletic player next season.

The 24-year-old forward, on loan at Boundary Park from Doncaster until the end of the season, has hit three goals for the club in his eight appearances so far.

Each strike — the latest of which was a neat effort in the 2-1 win at Carlisle United — has proven to be the decisive one.

The pacy former Newcastle United trainee is out of contract in the summer and his performances are likely to lead to Athletic making Guy an offer – though manager Dave Penney remained guarded over that possibility.

“Lewis doesn’t score enough goals and he knows that,” said the Athletic boss, who takes his side to Southampton tonight (7.45pm kick-off, see also Page 35).

“He hasn’t scored enough at Doncaster and that is what has held him back.

“He is bright, sharp and lively and he causes centre-halves problems. At this moment in time he is bright for us and he is taking his chances.

“I am pleased for him as he is a Carlisle boy and it was nice for him to score in front of his family.

“He is out of contract (at the end of the season) and there are a lot of players out of contract.

“It depends if you can afford them. We will have a good look and find out what the budget is to see what we can do with players who are out of contract.”

As for tonight’s task, Penney reckons there is no Coca-Cola League One side currently as well-equipped as Alan Pardew’s Southampton.

In eighth place and eight points behind in the chase for the final play-off spot, Saints still harbour promotion hopes and Penney will warn his side of the likely assault they will face.

“Without a shadow of a doubt they are the best team in the division, certainly since they added players at Christmas,” added Penney.

“We have to make sure we are disciplined and defend properly, which we have been doing of late, then when we get the ball we have to keep it as we did at Huddersfield.

“Southampton are pushing for the play-offs and will still think they can get in there if they win all their games.”

Penney takes the same 20-man squad with him as travelled to Carlisle, but may opt to switch a couple of players round ahead of Saturday’s home test against Southend.

Athletic (from): Flahavan, Marrow, Black, Hazell, Gregan, Lee, Smalley, Stephens, Furman, Whitaker, Guy, Worthington, Abbott, Eaves, Brill, Aljofree, Brooke, Millar, Colbeck, Lomax. For Southampton, midfielder