Latics ponder Mac attack

Orient’s Charlie MacDonald (right), a latics target, taking on Jean Yves M'Voto during the League One game in April.

STRIKER Charlie MacDonald could be Athletic’s next signing.

The out-of-contract former Leyton Orient player (32) is training with the squad this week, the Chronicle understands.

Though he left Brisbane Road at the end of last month after netting three times in 20 league games, MacDonald’s pedigree at League One level was proven during an earlier three-year spell with Brentford from 2008 which brought with it 45 goals in 127 appearances.

MacDonald, who has played for a host of clubs in the south during a 15-year career, has other offers he is considering.

Athletic’s manager Lee Johnson wants to have four or five strikers by early August and is believed to be a big fan of MacDonald.

It is unlikely that MacDonald will feature in tomorrow night’s friendly against Dinamo Bucharest in Leigh, though, and the same is true for incoming loan goalkeeper Mark Oxley.

The Hull City man was today undergoing medical tests in accordance with Premier League directives and they will need to be completed before the signing is finalised.

Oxley (22) will be arriving on at least a six-month loan from the KC Stadium, where he has signed a new two-year deal.

Johnson confirmed that Oxley will be Athletic’s number one for next season.

“He is a monster, size-wise, and we need that as we are quite a small side,” Athletic’s manager told the Chronicle, adding that he is also hunting for a back-up to Oxley to vie with Luke Simpson.

“I have been worried about conceding goals from set pieces, but with his frame he is a goalkeeper who is commanding. He fits the profile we are looking for.

“A lot of goalkeeping coaches speak very highly of him and everyone who knows him believes he will be a really good ’keeper.

“Steve Bruce (Hull’s manager) thinks so and showed that by giving him a new contract.

“What he needs is the experience of playing games and he will get that with us.”

Oxley, who started his career with Rotherham before a move to Hull in 2008, has to date only had brief spells out on loan at Walsall, Grimsby and Burton, with a total of nine first-team showings under his belt.

One player who may get a chance to impress against Dinamo tomorrow is on-trial Senegalese forward Momar N’Diaye (25).

“He has done alright so far,” said Johnson of a player who has had spells in France, Germany and, most recently, China. “Whether he is better than what we have got, I don’t know yet.

“He has moments of brilliance. But it is whether he fits in to what we are trying to do here.”

Athletic’s squad had another early-morning call today when they took part in a swimming session.

Next Tuesday, the squad will travel to Altcar Training Camp, near Southport, for three days of team-building and physical challenges.