Dickov to reduce squad

ATHLETIC boss Paul Dickov hopes to create extra room to bring in fresh blood by shipping out four players.

Three men whose Athletic careers have been ruined by injury — Jon Worthington, Joe Jacobson and Rob Purdie — have been made available for transfer, either on loan or on a permanent basis, while winger Joe Colbeck has also been told he is not required.

The quartet were signed by previous manager Dave Penney but none have established themselves as regulars in the first team.

Worthington, a battling central midfielder brought in from Huddersfield Town, suffered serious ankle ligament damage in a home game against Southampton last November and didn’t appear again until March.

Jacobson impressed in the left-back role at times but a persistent pelvic problem prevented the former Wales Under-21 man from making more than 15 appearances in his first season at Boundary Park.

And unlucky Purdie, brought in from Darlington, has yet to make his debut for the club after missing all of last season with a pelvic joint injury.

Dickov is on the look-out for fresh blood and was last night on a scouting mission overseas. A centre-back is the first priority, with former Scunthorpe United and Huddersfield man Andy Butler a target.