Latics in Diamond move

target MAN . . . Alexander Diamond (left) has been linked with a move to Athletic. Picture: Lynne Cameron/Press Association

SCOTTISH centre-half Alexander Diamond has emerged as an Athletic transfer target — and he could make the switch to Boundary Park today.

The 26-year-old is a free agent after running down his contract at Aberdeen, where he made 205 appearances.

Diamond would provide compatriot Paul Dickov with much-needed muscle at the heart of his defence following the departure of captain Reuben Hazell.

He would battle James Tarkowski for a place alongside Jean-Yves Mvoto, who has penned a fresh deal at Boundary Park.

Diamond’s career highlights include skippering Scotland under-21s between 2004 and 2006, and scoring a brace for the Dons against Celtic at Pittodrie two years ago.

Athletic fielded seven trialists against Mossley last night, one of whom scored the only goal of the game after 16 minutes, although Dickov expects the majority of them to seek pastures new.

Left-back Euan Holden, who was also on trial at the club towards the end of the last campaign, featured as a substitute.

Holden (23) is the younger brother of Bolton and USA star Stuart.

Dickov said: “We are hopeful of bringing in one player in the next 24 hours.”

After seeing the trialists play significantly better than they did in the 2-0 loss to Barrow three days earlier, he added: “It is always difficult for new arrivals in pre-season. They are still finding their feet.

“That is why I made a point of not going overboard when we lost to Barrow. The trialists are getting used to their surroundings.

“They did reasonably well against Mossley and we may keep hold of one or two of them.”

Filipe Morais and Paul Black, who both struggled with injury towards the end of last season, played 25 minutes each against Gareth McClelland’s side, and suffered no adverse reaction to their return to the first team picture.

Meanwhile, Dickov headed to former club Blackburn Rovers with his squad today for a behind-closed-doors friendly (noon kick-off).

Strikers Warren Feeney and Ryan Brooke were left out of last night’s squad with today’s clash with the Barclays Premier League outfit in mind, and the duo are expected to play a large chunk of the game.

For Feeney — who has shed two stones this summer — it marks the latest chance to prove his worth after a disappointing last term.

Last night’s other absentee, James Tarkowski, is rated as doubtful to feature due to a toe injury sustained in training.