Latics have sights on new deals

Luca Scapuzzi: deal to keep him at Latics.

ATHLETIC are “hopeful” of concluding deals to retain their four loan players in order that the quartet can line up against Liverpool.

Officially, the Boundary Park spells of Huddersfield Town defender Nathan Clarke, Norwich City midfielder Tom Adeyemi and Manchester City wide duo Luca Scapuzzi (pictured) and Andrea Mancini expired on Monday night.

But manager Paul Dickov — who hopes to turn Robbie Simpson’s new loan deal into a permanent move to the end of the season very soon — is talking to the clubs involved.

“We are still negotiating and the situation is ongoing,” said Athletic director Barry Owen.

“As for Robbie, we are just waiting for Huddersfield to deal with things at their end before we get on with signing him permanently.”

The deadline for loan deals to be concluded in time for Friday night’s third-round FA Cup tie at Anfield (8pm kick-off) is noon, tomorrow.

Boyhood Liverpool fan James Wesolowski is set to return to Athletic’s starting XI for that game, having recovered from a dislocated shoulder.

The midfielder is one of 11 men to have played first-team football this term who are reaching the end of their contracts at the end of the campaign. Many, like Wesolowski, Zander Diamond, Chris Taylor, Shefki Kuqi, Dean Furman and Kieran Lee, are key performers.

However, the former Peterborough man also suggested he would happily remain at Boundary Park beyond the summer.

“I don’t think many people have been spoken to (about new contracts) at the moment,” Wesolowski said. “I haven’t, so I am not too sure.

“I am enjoying it a lot here. They are a great set of lads and the management staff as well.

“Hopefully we can sort something out, if the club want to do it. We will see over the next few months what happens.”



SEASON-ticket holders can now buy tickets for the first leg of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Northern Area final.

Athletic have been

allocated 1,972 tickets for the game at the B2net Stadium on Tuesday, January 17 and tickets went on sale at 9am today. Should any remain unsold, they will go on open sale on Monday, January 9, from 9am.