Top-flight test

ATHLETIC skipper Dean Furman is looking forward to testing himself against Barclays Premier League opposition when Paul Dickov’s men face Wigan Athletic tomorrow morning.

The midfield maestro admitted the squad got a taste for the big time when they took on Blackburn Rovers in two behind-closed-doors friendlies at Ewood Park last week.

He said: “Playing against top players can only be a good thing for us because it is another test of our abilities.

“The Blackburn experience was brilliant because some of their first team regulars were on show. We beat them 1-0 in the first, and even though the second was a 5-0 defeat it is all part of the learning curve.

“I think we all got a taste for it so we cannot wait to give it our best shot against Wigan before a couple of matches at Boundary Park.”

Dickov and his coaching staff have upped the tempo in training as preparations for the npower League One curtain-raiser against Sheffield United on August 6 hit top gear.

Furman added: “Training is going very well at the moment, there is definitely a sense of kicking on and doing more as the days go by.

“We have moved up a notch and all eyes are on getting better and fitter in the friendly matches before the competitive action starts.

“We are enjoying the process.

“The Sheffield United game is going to be huge for us. They are a big club and we face them at home on the opening day, so the incentive is there for us to put in the hard work now to make sure we are ready.”

Meanwhile, former prolific hit man Chris Porter will be back at Boundary Park on the first day of the upcoming season — but with Sheffield United.

The 27-year-old has penned a two-year contract with the Blades, despite interest from Athletic.

Porter scored 28 goals in 66 games for Athletic before leaving for Motherwell in 2007 following the expiration of his deal, moving on to Championship club Derby where he only made 25 showings in two-and-a-half-years.

Dickov is keen to land a new front man before the start of the season and could yet make a move for Oumare Tounkara.

The Sunderland striker (21) recently signed a new one-year contract extension at the Stadium of Light and has been involved in recent first-team friendlies.

It is not yet clear whether Tounkara, whose tally of seven goals in 44 games with Athletic last term does not reflect some excellent performances prior to his form fading in the latter half of the campaign, will be allowed out on loan once again.

Athletic say they are “monitoring the situation” regarding a player who is said to be interesting several clubs in the Football League, including Championship side Nottingham Forest.

Neal Trotman, who made 18 appearances for Athletic last term while on loan from Preston, has signed a two-year deal with League One rivals Rochdale.