Home comfort in short supply

ATHLETIC could have as few as five home-grown players in the first-team squad next season.

That is the unusual scenario facing the club, with a mass cull looming of those men who have not managed to break into manager Paul Dickov's plans.

Glenn Belezika, James Tarkowski, Connor Hughes, Carl Winchester and David Mellor have professional deals which expire in summer 2013.

The only other professionals with deals already in place for 2012-13 are goalkeeper Alex Cisak, centre-back Jean-Yves Mvoto and strike duo Matt Smith and Shefki Kuqi.

Captain Dean Furman has a similar option to Kuqi in his existing contract.

A raft of players who have emerged through the system appear set to depart Boundary Park.

Chris Taylor, out for the season with damaged ankle ligaments, could have played his last game for the club he grew up with. Despite an improved deal to stay, he is set to leave on a free transfer to try his hand at Championship level. after 285 first-team Latics appearances.

Athletic's 2012-13 squad so far: Cisak, Winchester, Mvoto, Tarkowski, Mellor, Belezika, Hughes, Smith, Kuqi.