Simpson tops Latics’ shopping list

ROBBIE SIMPSON . . . the striker is in Athletic’s sights.

ATHLETIC are believed to be lining up a swoop for Huddersfield striker Robbie Simpson as their summer search for reinforcements intensifies.

Simpson (26), who also operates on the wing, has been told he can leave the Galpharm Stadium.

He has been restricted to cameo appearances in the Terriers’ recent friendlies.

The former Coventry hitman scored a superb volley against Athletic at Boundary Park last season while on loan at Brentford.

Athletic boss Paul Dickov is desperate to create more competition for places up front by bringing in at least one forward to give Reuben Reid, Warren Feeney, Matt Smith and Ryan Brooke a run for their money.

It is also hoped the club’s trialist central holding midfielder — who cannot be named at this stage for what Dickov says are “a number of reasons” — will complete his deal by the end of the week.

He figured in last night’s 0-0 draw with npower Championship outfit Burnley, although this latest good result against high-class opposition wasn’t enough to get Dickov over-excited.

The Clarets failed to extend goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, brought in on the morning of the game from Manchester United’s academy, with a single meaningful effort on target in the stalemate at Boundary Park.

While the home side drew a blank in front of goal themselves, in following up a 2-1 win against another Championship side Blackpool at the weekend, Athletic performed solidly and played some attractive football – particularly in the first half.

After the break both sides seemed to tire and the game petered out.

Feeney was absent from the squad due to a virus, but is expected to recover in time for the League One curtain-raiser against Sheffield United on Saturday week.

“It was another good work-out for the boys,” said Dickov, who used only two substitutes as he sought to give players substantial time on the field.

“We still feel we can be better when we have got the ball, after we have won it back,” he added.

“Our team shape was OK and we expected the players to be a bit leggy towards the end, as we have worked them really hard since Saturday.

“We were looking for a reaction and the pleasing thing is, most of them got through 90 minutes.

“I can’t remember Burnley having a shot on target. In the first half, we played some good football and in the second half, as well as big Matt Smith is doing for us, when we got tired we looked to hit that long ball up to him a bit too often.

“I want to use the big man as an option, because he is a threat, but I want us to play football at the same time.

“The boys have had a hard pre-season and sometimes the tendency towards the end of games can be to take the easy option.

“I still want us to express ourselves and play good, attacking football.”

against Athletic at Boundary Park last season.

Athletic play their final first-team pre-season game on Saturday at Fleetwood, as Dickov clarified the current goalkeeping situation.

“We brought Sam (Johnstone) in and it is good experience for him,” he added. “We didn’t want to play young Luke Simpson after he played on Saturday morning (for the youth team) and also in the afternoon (against Blackpool).

“He is a 16-year-old kid who was in school not so long ago. So we want to look after him, because he is a talent as well.

“Dale Connor has broken his finger after doing well against Blackpool and will be out for a week to 10 days and Alex Cisak will be back training by the weekend.”


GOALKEEPING coach and registered player Paul Gerrard is close to fitness following surgery to correct an abdominal muscle problem and double hernia.