Will dream tie sway Baxter?

YOU’RE NOT GETTING AWAY THAT EASILY: Athletic’s win at Forest has given Jose Baxter one more reason to remain at Boundary Park.

STRAIGHT after the memorable victory over Nottingham Forest, Athletic manager Paul Dickov said there were "lots of reasons" why the club wanted a big draw in the next round of the FA Cup.

He got his wish. Liverpool will visit Boundary Park on January 27 in the fourth round. The Premier League giants have an honours roll as long as any club in the land, international superstars galore, a rich history and fanatical support. It is certain to be a great occasion, whatever the result.

Dickov knows the value such a tie carries with it, financially and for the club’s fanbase.

The extra revenue should also help Dickov's budget for the rest of the season.

But was there one other reason on the agenda that Dickov had in mind? One concerning the second-most talked about Athletic topic of the week: the future of Jose Baxter?

The 11-goal striker embellished his growing hero status at Boundary Park by striking home a free-kick in the 3-2 win at Forest.

His out of the ordinary cunning has brought Baxter to prominence. Despite his short-term contract running out after the Brentford game on Saturday, the 20 year old may yet decide to stay.

The chances of that happening are knocked by the obvious interest in him from bigger clubs, impressed by his performances.

But the chance for the Bootle-born star to show off his skills for Athletic in front of a live television audience against Liverpool, the club he supported as a boy — can only help to persuade him to stay.

And a new Jose Baxter contract would certainly be a massive reason for celebration.