Latics target top-flight test

High-profile match on the horizon

ATHLETIC officials will today attempt to secure a deal which will see the club take on Premier League opposition.

The identity of the prospective opponents, for a game that would be played at Boundary Park, is being kept under wraps.

But, coupled with confirmed pre-season home matches against Burnley on Monday, July 12 (7pm) and Preston on Tuesday, July 27 (7.30pm), the game will give any new Athletic boss another chance to test out his men against higher-division opposition.

The new man at the helm is likely to be in place by the end of the month, with interviews for the position taking place next week.

A set of away friendlies is also in the offing, with those likely to feature sides from the non-league ranks.

Last season, Athletic’s pre-season programme included home games against Premier League outfit Sunderland and Championship side Blackpool.

The team also travelled away to face Hyde United, Halifax Town, Bury, Macclesfield, Stalybridge Celtic and Bradford Park Avenue as then-boss Dave Penney prepared for his first and only season in charge.

Athletic were last night spared losing another local contest from Coca-Cola League One, as near-neighbours Huddersfield Town exited the play-offs at the hands of Millwall.

Steve Morison and Paul Robinson secured the Lions another trip to Wembley with goals in a 2-0 victory which takes them into the do-or-die clash with Swindon a week on Saturday.

Morison, sporting a large bandage after a nasty clash of heads in the goalless first leg, struck his 23rd goal of his first season in professional football after signing from Stevenage, in the 23rd minute.

And captain Robinson made the tie safe with a late header from a corner, leaving Millwall praying they can overcome their play-off hoodoo after missing out on promotion in the previous five attempts.