Latics’ French connection II

Oumare Tounkara

ATHLETIC are set to turn to Sunderland’s French striker Oumare Tounkara as a solution to their current striking woes.

Manager Paul Dickov is on the hunt for at least two new faces on loan to strengthen his squad before the big kick-off at Tranmere on Saturday, with a target man a priority.

And Tounkara's fellow Black Cat and Frenchman Jean-Yves Mvoto could also be heading to Boundary Park in order to shore up the defensive line.

Tounkara (20) joined the Premier League club at the start of last season from Ligue 2 club Sedan on a two-year deal.

Viewed as one for the future, he suffered a number of injuries and managed one goal in nine starts for a reserves side in which manager Steve Bruce placed an emphasis on youth.

While Sunderland hope that Tounkara can come back to the Stadium of Light buoyed by a successful spell on loan — as was the case with other youngsters Jack Colback, Martyn Waghorn and, most notably, Jordan Henderson — Mvoto does not look to have much of a future at the club.

Recently on trial at Carlisle, the centre-back (21) spent all of last season out on loan at Southend and scored an equaliser against Athletic in the 2-2 draw at Boundary Park after coming on as a substitute.

A tall, strong defender, Mvoto would provide a useful physical presence in Athletic's rearguard while Sean Gregan continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

Gregan was a late inclusion in last night's youth team friendly at Ashton, which ended 1-1.

He will not take part in the reserves' trip to Rhyl tonight (7.30pm kick-off), in which transfer-listed Rob Purdie makes his long-awaited bow in an Athletic shirt.

Brought to the club by Dave Penney over 14 months ago, the former Darlington utility man has since been unable to shake off a pelvic and groin problem and described his enforced lay-off as a "nightmare".

Also in the side tonight are three other transfer-listed players, Greg Fleming, Kelvin Lomax and Jon Worthington, along with Andy Holdsworth and new signing Rod McDonald.

Reserves: Fleming, Trialist, Lomax, Worthington, Fodor, McDonald, Purdie, Holdsworth, Bembo-Leta, Crompton, McGrath. Subs: Millar, Ollerenshaw, Trialist, Kidd, Hughes.

ATHLETIC play Leicester in the final of the totesport.com League Cup next Wednesday (7pm kick-off) at Quorn FC, near Loughborough.