Talent quest

PAUL DICKOV... casting his eye over several trialists in the build up to the new season.

THE SEARCH is on... to unearth the next Filipe Morais.

Athletic manager Paul Dickov is currently running the rule over a number of trialists behind closed doors in training in the hope of finding a player of similar calibre to the Portuguese wing wizard.

Morais, previously a nomadic figure who had bumped around a number of clubs in England and Scotland, arrived at Athletic on a trial basis in November and was virtually an ever-present after that.

He recently took up an option in his contract to stay with Athletic until the end of the 2011-12 season.

The first friendly of the summer takes place at Barrow AFC on Saturday (3pm kick-off), the scene almost exactly 12 months ago of a game which featured trial men Jason Jarrett, Dean Kelly and Rod McDonald — all of whom went on to sign a permanent contract with the club, to varying degrees of success.

For the regular members of this season’s squad, the main goal will be to build up fitness levels.

“It will be a good game for us,” said Dickov. “The most important thing for us is that we use it as a

fitness session. We will be giving all of the lads 45 minutes each and a few trialists might possibly feature.

“We are having a few more trialists in this week and it would be stupid to turn these opportunities down to take a close look at them.

“Nine times out of 10, trialists don’t work out. On the other hand, there is a possibility we might get another Filipe Morais out of it.”

Dickov again emphasised just how pleased he is with the shape of the players returning to the club from their summer break.

“Everyone’s fitness is excellent,” he added. “We spoke to the lads before they went away about the importance of keeping in shape and they have all gone to great lengths to do just that.”

Athletic’s npower League One rivals Tranmere have accepted a bid from Bayern Munich for whizz-kid Dale Jennings.

The 18-year-old, who made his debut for Rovers at the beginning of last season and went on to score six goals, is discussing personal terms with the German giants.

Elsewhere, Rochdale have signed ex-Falkirk defender Marc Twaddle on a free transfer and former Athletic goalkeeper Greg Fleming is having a trial at Bradford City.