Latics pushing for Byrne deal

NO-NONSENSE DEFENDING . . . Cliff Byrne gets to grips with an opposition striker.

DON'T rule out a couple of new faces at Athletic soon . . . but don't expect too many more than that.

The block has been put on the chase for Charlton striker Leon Clarke by his club's demands.

It remains to be seen whether the same is true of Cliff Byrne, the Scunthorpe defender who is out of contract.

The Dublin-born right-back or centre-back (30) was released this summer after more than 300 games with the Iron and is holding talks with Athletic.

Experienced Byrne would provide cover for right-back Connor Brown and competition for central defensive duo Jean-Yves Mvoto and James Tarkowski — another main priority.

Once those two vacancies at either end of the field have been filled, the squad will total 20 players.

The club are set to be around £800,000 down on the revenues of last season.

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