Pompey pounce for Cisak

alex cisak

ALEX Cisak was today set to sign for Athletic’s npower League One rivals Portsmouth.

The 23-year-old ’keeper, who has been frozen out of the first-team picture since rival Dean Bouzanis took over as number one two months ago, has been in talks with the Fratton Park club over a switch and a deal for a one-month loan should be concluded before today’s deadline.

Pompey want the Poland-born stopper to replace Mikkel Anderson, who has gone back to Leeds following the expiry of his 93-day emergency loan period.

Liam Jacob will step into the breach as Athletic’s number two ’keeper.

Athletic Manager Paul Dickov hoped to bring in one or two new faces today — but that hinged on Cisak, plus others, moving elsewhere to free up funds in the budget.

One extension Athletic are seeking, not necessarily before today’s 5pm cut-off, is the loan of Reece Wabara from Manchester City.

The right-back’s current stay draws to an end after the home game against Shrewsbury on Saturday.

Athletic head into that clash in good spirits, buoyed by three points gained in an edgy but important 2-1 victory at Hartlepool.

“They had a fair chunk of the game in the second half but I always felt we were in control,” said Athletic’s experience centre-back Cliff Byrne.

“We defended for our lives at times, but that is what you expect.

“The table is what it is, so it was important we won — as simple as that.

“The remit before the game was to win and it didn’t matter how we did it.

“It was important for us as players. We work hard from Monday to Friday to develop things and there is nobody more disappointed than we are when we don't produce on a Saturday.”

A total of 96 fans made the midweek trek to the North-East and the goal now for Byrne and his team-mates is to recreate the effort shown at Victoria Park in front of Athletic’s long-suffering home supports.

“I know there weren’t many fans at Hartlepool as it is a long slog to get up there on a Tuesday night and we are very, very grateful for the effort,” added Byrne.

“We put on a disappointing show at Bournemouth and, with the fans sticking with us through thick and thin, it is nice to put smiles on faces.

“It is a step in the right direction. And so we now regroup, replenish and work on facing Shrewsbury.”

Robbie Simpson (pelvis) is a doubt for that game and if he doesn’t make it, Matt Smith is likely to start up front alongside Matt Derbyshire.