Latics to keep star players waiting

CHRIS TAYLOR . . . contract expires in the summer.

ATHLETIC may wait until the end of the season before offering new deals to out-of-contract players.

Captain Dean Furman, vice-captain Zander Diamond, last season's player-of-the-year Kieran Lee, stalwart winger Chris Taylor, midfield battler James Wesolowski and striker Robbie Simpson are among those whose agreements end in the summer.

The club currently have seven professionals contracted for 2012-13; goalkeeper Alex Cisak, defenders Jean-Yves Mvoto, David Mellor and James Tarkowski, midfielders Carl Winchester and Connor Hughes and out-on-loan striker Matt Smith.

Several — including Furman and top scorer Shefki Kuqi — have options for a further year built into their contracts, which can be taken up by the club.

Dickov is confident he will retain the bulk of his playing staff: "We have spoken about it briefly with the chairman (Simon Corney) but over the next few weeks, we will be sitting down and sorting out what can and can't be done," he said. The manager again faces juggling a slashed playing budget.

"It might be similar to last time, when we wait until the end of the season to get it done. It is what it is and you get on with it. We want to keep all our better players.”


ATHLETIC have re-signed fit-again defender Bradley Diallo until the end of the season.

The French full-back, absent for almost six months with a hamstring injury, has been training with Paul Dickov’s squad since his deal expired at the turn of the year.

There is an option to extend his Boundary Park stay by another season.

Athletic were today still hoping to bring in a player on an emergency loan for the rest of the season.


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