Spanish eyes

ATHLETIC may head down the Spanish route on recruitment this summer.

Manager Paul Dickov spent a couple of days observing sessions at the Ciudad Real Madrid training complex.

A year ago, Athletic took a close look at Real midfielder Marc Fernandez, only for a move to stall due to fears over a possible compensation pay-out.

Should a similar opportunity arise to bring in a fringe player on trial from the Spanish giants, Dickov will be nothing if not well-prepared.

“It was fantastic,” said the Scot. “I watched the youngsters train — the under-19s and the ‘B’ team — and spent some time talking to the coaches over there.

“It was useful to take in the different ideas and approaches.

“There were a lot of kids out there who won’t ever make it into the first team.

“And so it was good to learn about some players. It adds to the knowledge and it means that when those names are emailed over to us, as they are all the time, we have them in our database.

“It also helped in building up our contacts.”

While there is no further news as-yet on contracts to keep existing players at Boundary Park for next season, word overnight is that Athletic’s out-of- contract winger Chris Taylor is attracting the attentions of Championship side Millwall.

Taylor (25) has so far turned down the offer of an improved deal to stay at Boundary Park in preference of testing himself at a higher level.

ATHLETIC have confirmed their first pair of pre-season friendlies.

For a second season running, the team travels to face Fleetwood — newly promoted to npower League Two. That game takes place on Friday, July 27 (7.30pm kick-off).

A game at Evo-Stik League, First Division North outfit Mossley has been arranged for Wednesday, July 11 (7pm).