It’s over to you, Kieran

THE BALL is in Kieran Lee's court over his future with Athletic.

The club will seek a definitive answer from the player-of-the-season and one who has spent the last four seasons at Boundary Park. Lee is out of contract at the end of this season, which finishes at home to Carlisle tomorrow. A departure would not lead to Athletic gaining compensation from new employers, as he turns 24 in late June.

"We have put an offer to him," said manager Paul Dickov. "We are waiting for Kieran and his agent to get back. It is no secret that since I have been here, Kieran has been consistently the best player.

"There are clubs looking at him, but Kieran enjoys being here. Hopefully, he will get back to us sooner rather than later."

James Wesolowski and Chris Taylor are two other high-profile stars without a deal running through next season. Dickov hasn't given up hope of retaining their services.

"As ever, agents will be saying that some players can go elsewhere and get more money.

"But I am telling them that it isn't going to happen this year. There are more players out of contract than ever. If they think they can get better money elsewhere, some of them might get a shock."