Latics want Mvoto back

PAUL Dickov wants to bring towering defender Jean-Yves Mvoto back to Boundary Park.
The Sunderland player struck up an enviable partnership with skipper Reuben Hazell at the heart of the Athletic defence before injury curtailed his loan spell at the turn of the year, in the 2-1 derby defeat to Rochdale.

Fellow stoppers Neal Trotman and Andy Todd have since filled the void but, after a promising start to 2011, Athletic go to Bournemouth tomorrow without a win — or goal — in six games.

And with three of the five goals Peterborough scored against Dickov’s men coming from set pieces, Mvoto’s height and strength would fit the bill.

He is on the verge of a return to full fitness following the ankle ligament damage he sustained, and would come back to the club on an emergency

Dickov said: “We are looking to bring Jean back here because he is getting there now with his fitness.

“He is due to play a friendly for Sunderland in order to get more match time.

“We are keeping tabs on the situation. Jean wants to come back to us.”

Chief executive Alan Hardy said Mvoto would be able to rejoin the club on loan, despite the fact Athletic currently have five borrowed players in the ranks in Trotman, Ben Amos, Aidan White, Sam Mantom and Oumare Tounkara.

He said: “Clubs are only allowed five loan players in their match-day squad, but can have more than that number at the club.

“So we would be able to bring in another player on a temporary basis.”



FULL-BACK Kieran Lee has signed a 12-month extension to his Athletic contract.



The 22-year-old’s deal runs until the end of the 2011-12 season.

Lee, who joined the club from Manchester United almost three years ago, has made 55 appearances for the npower League One outfit, scoring three times.