Eaves deal nears

ATHLETIC expect to have the Tom Eaves transfer wrapped up in the next couple of days.

The big striker has been the subject of speculation for weeks, but it appears that an end to the saga is in sight, with Bolton and Burnley both reportedly having bids of £350,000 accepted.

Premier League outfit Bolton are in pole position, with the deal also incorporating add-on payments relating to the 18-year-old's progress.

Athletic are making no comment on the transfer, but the club hope to conclude the deal sooner rather than later.

Eaves was left out of the squad to travel to Tranmere on Saturday and is again absent at Scunthorpe tonight.

The money Athletic pick up for Eaves will not be splashed out on transfer fees for new players, though.

The squad currently numbers 31 professionals. That includes new season-long loan signings from Sunderland, Jean-Yves Mvoto and Oumare Tounkara, who were both brought to the club in anticipation of the Eaves transfer cash.

Manager Paul Dickov has been led to understand that major new signings are not in the offing at the cash-strapped club.