Show us what you’re made of

PROVE you are worthy of a new deal.

That’s the challenge laid down by Athletic assistant manager Gerry Taggart, who has revealed that decisions on which out-of-contract players will get the chance to stay on at Boundary Park next season could hinge on their performances between now and May 7.

Athletic — who could be confirmed as safe from relegation by Good Friday evening — have still to face Exeter (away), Walsall (home), Swindon (away) and MK Dons (home) in npower League One.

At present, all those sides still have something to play for at one end of the table or the other.

And Taggart wants his men to be up for the challenges they will face.

"We want to finish as high up the table as we can," said Paul Dickov's right-hand man. "None of us like losing and we are still making our minds up on those players whose contracts expire in the summer.

"They need to show us that they are worthy of receiving new deals."

A total of 13 first-team players are out of contract at the end of the season, including captain Reuben Hazell, goalkeeper Dean Brill and midfielder Ritchie Jones.

Ryan Burns scored Athletic's goal as the reserves drew 1-1 with Wrexham at Stalybridge in the totesport.com League last night.

The young winger netted late in a first half dominated by Lee Duxbury's side, who had a penalty taken by a trialist striker saved by the Wrexham goalkeeper.

Declan Walker claimed a late equaliser, but there was good news in substitute appearances for long-term injured duo Phil McGrath and Djeny Bembo-Leta.

Both came on during the second half, with schoolboy striker Carlton McIntosh taking to the field straight after the interval.