I just want to play — Baxter

Jose Baxter soars to score

LIVEWIRE Athletic forward Jose Baxter says he simply wants to play the game — wherever he ends up.

The former Everton striker netted his ninth goal of the season with an excellent header at Yeovil, before Paul Dickov’s men succumbed 4-1 to the home side.

Baxter’s short-term contract expires on January 14 and scouts have flocked to watch the 21-year-old, who has been a huge hit since joining Athletic as a free agent in September.

Athletic want him to stay — but may ultimately be unable to match terms offered by watching higher-division clubs, as the waiting game continues.

“I am in talks now and hopefully I can stay and play,” said the striker, who came close to signing for Crystal Palace in the summer.

“If I do go, hopefully I will go to a team where I can play games. That is all I want to do, play football.”

In the short-term, Baxter’s role is pivotal across the coming set of fixtures.

He will be in action again on Boxing Day as Athletic try to replicate the 3-1 FA Cup victory over fourth-placed Doncaster at Boundary Park.

It is a clash Baxter believes Athletic can claim three points from.

“We know a bit about them and them a bit about us,” he said.

“We have one win each, so hopefully we can make it two-one.

“They will know our game plan and our players inside out. For me, I think it is easier to come up against a side you haven’t already played.

“But we will perhaps change things a little bit and hopefully get the win.”

Dickov is also confident of victory over Dean Saunders’ men.

“We know we can beat them as we have done recently,” he said.

“But we have to tighten up. The way the goals were conceded (at Yeovil), especially in the second half, was really poor from our point of view.

“Myself and (assistant manager) Gerry (Taggart) do a lot of work with the back four, in those scenarios. So for it to happen as it did on both occasions is poor on our part.

“What we have to now is dig ourselves back out of the hole we have put ourselves in again.”