Latics boss: no let-up

CARL Winchester: yet to sign a new deal.

NO ATHLETIC player will be able to settle into a comfort zone next season.

Manager Lee Johnson is determined every player will have competition.

Johnson wants nobody to be virtually guaranteed a starting place and is juggling his budget to create a bank of two full 11-man teams within the squad.

“Realistically, we are looking at bringing in a young goalkeeper with potential, a loan centre-back and a permanent centre-back — depending on the situation with Cliff (Byrne) and whether Jean-Yves Mvoto stays, and a number nine who can bring people into play,” Johnson told the Chronicle.

“We would like extra competition at full-back as well.”

Byrne appears to be heading back to Scunthorpe if they can afford him, while Mvoto looks like moving into the Championship.

With the exception of winger-or-striker Kirk Millar and Carl Winchester, who have yet to sign new deals, Athletic’s midfield now appears complete.