Dynamic duo’s licence to thrill

MATT DERBYSHIRE . . . free to play in Saturday’s FA Cup-tie at Kidderminster Harriers.

Derbyshire’s loan extension keeps partnership intact

ATHLETIC'S crack striker partnership of Jose Baxter and Matt Derbyshire will stay intact until for at least the next nine fixtures.

Derbyshire's deal from Nottingham Forest has been extended until after the Swindon game on December 15 - the maximum 93-day emergency loan period available.

The 26 year old is eligible to play in the FA Cup first-round tie at Kidderminster on Saturday, a game described as "massive" by chairman Simon Corney.

"It is as important as it has been since I have been here at the club," said Corney, who said that the third-round tie at Liverpool last season netted the club around £300,000.

"With the new stand on the horizon, it is hugely important that we get a cup run going.

"I am sure Kidderminster won't make it easy for us, but we should still have enough about us to get through."

Derbyshire and Baxter have netted nine goals in their 10 games for Athletic. Baxter's latest helped Athletic to a point at Crawley.

And while the clamour is for his four-month deal to be extended beyond mid-January, Corney warned there will be other suitors.

He added: "Jose will have plenty of options on the table for him. Whatever we offer, someone can offer more."

Offers for players out of contract at the end of the season may be affected by the team's form.

"Between now and Christmas is a very important time for us," said the chairman.

"We are definitely playing better football than we were - having said that, we are out of two cup competitions and 17th in the table."



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