Mvoto no-show at Latics

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ATHLETIC’S squad which trained together for the first time this summer featured Cliff Byrne and Carl Winchester — but Jean-Yves Mvoto’s absence was the strongest indication yet that his days at Boundary Park are over.

It is hoped that midfield man Winchester will sign a renewed deal imminently.

The 20-year-old from Belfast featured only sporadically last term, with his most noted contribution a flighted left-foot assist for Athletic’s third goal by Reece Wabara in the FA Cup victory over Liverpool.

But in a pared-down squad, manager Lee Johnson will be keen that the former Linfield prospect can come to the fore in 2013-14.

Centre-back Byrne, under contract for another season, has been courted by his former employees Scunthorpe. But the onus is on the club he enjoyed a testimonial at only 12 months ago to find sufficient room in their playing budget to accommodate the 31-year-old.

At present, the Dubliner takes his place along with James Tarkowski in the heart of Athletic’s current first-choice defence.

Mvoto has not officially turned down Athletic’s offer of a new deal but the terms offered by Championship rivals will be impossible to match. Doncaster have already confirmed their intention to talk to the out-of-contract French defender over a move to the Keepmoat Stadium.

Johnson, who was on the training field at Chapel Road yesterday along with his first-team coach Paul Murray and new duo Lee Steele (fitness coach) and Bobby Mimms (goalkeeping coach), is on the hunt for at least one new centre-back.

And his eyes were also trained on the performance of new forward Jonson Clarke-Harris, who looked sharp in front of goal, and the foreign trialist striker who linked up with the squad to be put through his paces.

Athletic’s players strapped on the gloves this morning for a boxing session, as the second day of pre-season training got underway with an early alarm call.

SKY Sports are to televise Athletic’s League One game at Preston in September.
The Deepdale fixture now takes place on Monday, September 9 (7.45pm kick-off), two days later than originally scheduled.

ATHLETIC have arranged a friendly with Macclesfield.
The fixture against the Blue Square Bet Premier side takes place at Boundary Park on Saturday, July 20 (3pm kick-off), replacing an earlier game against Wigan which was cancelled after the Championship club altered their plans.