Stephens looks to extend stay

INTERNATIONAL DUTY . . . Warren Feeney holds off Slovenia's Marko Suler at Windsor Park last night.

But Dickov wants midfielder back in a Latics shirt
DALE Stephens fancies staying on at Southampton beyond his loan spell.

The cultured central midfielder joined promotion-pushing Saints on deadline day and is set to make his debut in his new club's home game against MK Dons on Saturday.

While Athletic negotiated what they believe to be a fair package allowing the Bolton-born player to depart Boundary Park on a loan basis, Stephens’ future come the season’s end is up in the air.

Everything will depend on how he fares under his new boss Nigel Adkins.

But the 21-year-old, under contract with Athletic for a further two seasons, is keen to remain on at the South coast outfit.

“I’d like to think so, but as far as I know it’s just a loan at the moment, so hopefully I’ll play games here and impress the gaffer," Stephens told the Southampton club website.

"I'm delighted to be here and I’ll take every game as it comes because it’s a test for me, but a good opportunity too, so we’ll see what comes of that.”

Athletic manager Paul Dickov was reluctant to lose the services of his 10-goal top scorer and admits that while he wishes the player well, he wouldn’t mind him coming back for next season.

“From a selfish point of view, I really hope he does come back and I have told him that,” said Dickov.

“Dale is a top player who will go on to play at the highest level whoever it is with.

“At the moment it is just a loan until the end of the season, so I am hopeful he will be back here.”

James Tarkowski scored a last-minute winner for Athletic’s reserves, who won 3-2 at Burnley in the totesport.com League.

Ryan Burns and a trialist were also on the scoresheet for Lee Duxbury’s men, who came from behind to register an impressive victory at a side who had lost only twice this season.

Goalkeeper Shaun Routledge made a number of crucial saves for Athletic.


WARREN Feeney spilled blood for the cause as Northern Ireland were held to a 0-0 draw by Slovenia in their Euro 2012 qualifier at Windsor Park.
The Athletic striker, in Nigel Worthington's line-up and gaining his 40th cap in the absence of Kyle Lafferty and David Healy, suffered a nasty gash to the head early on in the game but managed to stay on the field.