Dickov in Latics link

PAUL DICKOV is the surprise name in the frame to be Athletic’s new boss.

The 37-year-old former Manchester City striker, who ended the season at promoted Leeds United, is searching for his first management role and is believed to have been interviewed by the club earlier this week.

Whether he can force his way past the front-runners for the job — including ex-Athletic players Mark Crossley and Frank Bunn — remains to be seen.

Athletic have concluded a two-day period of interviews and the directors will now convene to decide the next step, with an appointment likely by early next week at the latest.

Dickov, who could combine playing with management at Boundary Park, can certainly point to plenty of experience gained from a 20-year playing career.

Starting out as a trainee at Arsenal, the Livingston-born forward won a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup medal at Highbury in 1994 before moving on to Maine Road two years later for a fee thought to be close to £1million.

Dickov spent six years there, where his signature harassing of defenders earned the nickname of ‘The Wasp’ from Joe Royle.

His most famous moment arrived in 1999, when an equalising goal in the fifth minute of added time at Wembley helped City overcome Gillingham in the play-off final.

He went on to have two spells with Leicester and another at City, also turning out for Blackburn, Crystal Palace, Blackpool, Derby and Leeds.

A former Scotland international who has 10 caps to his name, Dickov was linked with a move to Toronto FC earlier this year to link up with fellow countryman Mo Johnston.

He later moved to play under a short-term contract at Leeds, working under his former Leicester team-mate Simon Grayson.




DALE Stephens has had keyhole surgery to correct a groin problem.



The 22-year-old midfielder, Athletic’s reigning young player of the year, became a regular starter in the latter half of the season and the injury is being blamed on the heavy schedule of fixtures.

The surgery was minor and Stephens is expected to be back in pre-season training with the rest of the squad at the end of June.