Hughes link is news to Latics

Lee Hughes - mystery transfer talk

REPORTS in the national media are linking striker Lee Hughes with a move to Dundee United – but it’s news to Athletic.

The Boundary Park club have NOT received any enquiries for the 32-year-old ex-Premier League star, who it is hoped will spearhead their promotion bid next season.

Hughes is under contract for another 12 months, so Athletic could demand a hefty fee from any team planning to lure him away.

He has kept up a superb goals ratio throughout his career, hitting the net 122 times in 249 starting appearances.

The former West Brom man joined Athletic after his release from prison last August and made an impressive start before being hampered by injury.

Hughes scored eight goals, but he hasn’t played since January after undergoing an operation to cure his persistent groin problem.

Rehabilitation has gone well, and Hughes is now in excellent shape as he and his team-mates build up to the new campaign in League One.

The player has declared a strong commitment to Athletic, who shielded him from intense scrutiny when he first arrived, and he is also settled in the area.

Athletic’s pre-season preparations begin in earnest next week when John Sheridan and his squad are back in for training.

They will have just over a fortnight before encountering their first friendly – a private match with Belgian team Cercle Bruges – and are on public view at Grimsby on Saturday, July 19 (1pm kick off).

There are five signings to integrate into the squad, with goalkeeper Greg Fleming, utility man Kieran Lee, midfielders Dale Stephens and Danny Whitaker and striker Chris O’Grady all new to Boundary Park.

Athletic are still looking at the left-back position, where their main options at present are Lee, Kelvin Lomax and youngster Paul Black.