Latics step up striker search

Robbie Simpson

Hit-man top of wish list
THE CLOCK is ticking as Athletic bid to fine-tune their squad ahead of the transfer deadline.

Manager Paul Dickov is keen to bring in at least two new faces before the cut-off point in exactly a week's time.

With only three out-and-out strikers on the books — Matt Smith, Reuben Reid and Ryan Brooke — a new front man remains the priority.

Available forwards the club have previously been linked with include Cody McDonald, though the Norwich striker now appears to be well out of Athletic's financial reach as the Canaries seek a big fee for either a permanent transfer or a loan, and Huddersfield Town's Robbie Simpson, who has been made clear for transfer by his manager Lee Clark.

With the Premier League now well underway, a swoop for a promising top-flight poacher could be a route Dickov goes down.

Last season, Athletic borrowed a total of five players from the top division.

Jean-Yves Mvoto and Oumare Tounkara arrived on season-long loans from Sunderland, Jason Lowe came from Blackburn in March and remained at Boundary Park until the end of the season and Cedric Evina (Arsenal) and Sam Mantom (West Brom) both joined initially on one-month emergency loans.

Currently on Athletic's books on a loan basis are Huddersfield centre-back Nathan Clarke, who will stay until the New Year, and midfielder Matthew Lund of Stoke, who is at Boundary Park until November 21. Clubs are allowed a maximum of five loan players in any matchday squad.

Despite the small squad size Athletic are operating with this season, fringe players could also head out of the door before next Wednesday's 11pm cut-off point.

After the transfer window closes, there is a seven-day gap before emergency one-month loans are permitted to take place.

Meanwhile, there is no further update from the club on the knee injury sustained by Athletic winger Josh Parker in the Rochdale game.