Latics line up triple swoop

Matteo Lanzoni: moved to Yeovil

ATHLETIC boss Lee Johnson has revealed a triple swoop is “95 per cent done” as his mid-season squad strengthening begins.

Johnson hinted on his Twitter feed that new signings were imminent, and three firmly in his sights are St Mirren playmaker Gary Harkins, Rotherham midfielder David Worrall and experienced centre-back Adam Lockwood.

Harkins and Lockwood are former playing team-mates of Johnson’s at Kilmarnock and Yeovil Town respectively.

Scottish Premier League ace Harkins (29) was at Boundary Park this morning looking to pen a loan deal until the end of the season, and is set to be thrown straight into the Athletic squad for Sunday’s mouth-watering FA Cup tie at Anfield.

Greenock-born Harkins joined St Mirren in the summer following a second spell at Dundee, and has scored twice this term in 17 appearances.

Out-of-favour Rotherham midfielder Worrall (23) is a Manchester lad who began his career at Bury.

Worrall signed for the Millers in the summer, but after scoring one goal in four appearances in August, hasn’t featured since.

Wakefield-born Lockwood would certainly add bags of steel and experience. Now 32 and with Conference North outfit Guiseley, he has enjoyed a long professional career with Doncaster Rovers, Yeovil Town and Bury, whom he left last summer.





MATTEO Lanzoni has swapped life working for one Johnson clan member for another: he has joined Lee Johnson’s father Gary’s Yeovil Town.

The Italian defender (25) rejected the chance to stay at Boundary Park after his short-term deal expired. The former Sampdoria player now joins Huish Park.

“I heard from an agent and Lee that he was going and they knew that I quite liked him,” said Gary. “Lee felt he would do OK in the Championship. He didn’t want to lose him, but he would rather lose him to a Championship club than a first division one.”