Dickov in bid to boost fire power

Photo: Alan Howarth

LEADING THE WAY: Chris Taylor has scored four goals this season for Athletic.

ATHLETIC manager Paul Dickov could make a move for a new player as he bids to boost the strikers’ goal tally at the club.

A mystery Portuguese triallist, currently training at Boundary Park, is thought to have impressed enough to have become a target.

It has emerged that Dickov faces overseas competition for his signature and that could force a swift move to secure the forward.

Goals haven’t been too much of a problem for Athletic this season, with over half the other teams in the division managing fewer so far.

The number contributed from midfield has risen dramatically as the team’s engine room has thrown off the shackles imposed by the previous management.

But up front, only one out-and-out striker has registered for the club in npower League One this season.

Chris Taylor, who started a handful of matches in an advanced central role before returning to the wing at Southampton, is Athletic’s joint top scorer for the season with four along with Dean Furman.

On-loan Sunderland forward Oumare Tounkara’s two goals are the only other strikes in the league from a pool also comprising Warren Feeney, Dean Kelly, Ryan Brooke and currently-injured Djeny Bembo-Leta.

And that fact will bother Dickov as he attempts to steer the club back towards the realm of the play-offs.

However, his endeavours in the market place could be scuppered by the continued lack of activity when it comes to shipping out unwanted players.

The indications late last week were that one or possibly two transfer-listed players would have arranged loan moves to other clubs by now, but this has not transpired.

Athletic winger Deane Smalley’s loan spell at Rochdale has expired.

The 22-year-old made three appearances for the Spotland club, all off the substitutes’ bench, and was an unused replacement in Saturday’s 3-2 home win over Dagenham.

There is no indication yet as to whether Dale boss Keith Hill is seeking to renew the arrangement.

Athletic centre-back Ferenc Fodor is to spend a third and final month on loan at Northwich Victoria.