Latics' recipe: talent and hard work

PAUL Dickov believes that the loss of his most dependable player could possibly work in Athletic's favour.

Kieran Lee is swapping Boundary Park for Hillsborough as he opts for a move into the Championship from next season.

As with Dale Stephens's move to Charlton last summer, losing one of his most technically gifted and consistent players leaves Athletic's manager with big decisions to make over acquiring a replacement.

While accepting that Lee's loss to Sheffield Wednesday is a setback — Athletic had tried, and failed, to get the player to sign a new contract over the course of many months — Dickov sees hope in that it shows prospective recruits what can be achieved through a mixture of talent and application while under his command.

"We are all delighted for Kieran as much as we are gutted to lose him," said Dickov, who has this week been finishing off work for his UEFA B coaching licence.

"It speaks volumes for him that a club like that have got him.

"In a way, it is beneficial to us in that it show players that if they come here and do well, they can progress in the game.

"In that regard, it is a similar situation to the one we had with Dale Stephens."

While Chris Taylor is also expected to leave, Dickov is believed to have a list of 40 new targets which have been shown to chairman Simon Corney, though it is likely that Athletic will seek to finalise most of their moves for new players in mid-to-late July.

The new npower League One season does not start until Saturday, August 18.

One man who may end up on Athletic's radar is Steve Howard.

The striker (36) has been released by Leicester City and is already attracting the attentions of Notts County.

Dickov is a known admirer of the big former Luton and Derby forward, who he played alongside at the Walkers Stadium.

But any swoop would probably be predicated on Shefki Kuqi moving on.

The 16-goal top scorer is meeting with Dickov this week to hammer out his future.

Kuqi has an option built into his existing deal that has been triggered, meaning it is in his hands whether to remain at Boundary Park.

Athletic are hoping to finalise details of the club's pre-season friendlies programme soon.

It is likely there will be three games at home and three away, plus a behind-closed-doors game against Celtic in Portugal during the six-day overseas camp which starts on July 13.


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