Taylor feels the love

ACTION MAN . . . home-town boy Chris Taylor in action for Athletic at Swindon recently

CHRIS Taylor did his bit for the cause by playing as a wing-back against Sheffield United and the on-loan winger's commitment to the cause might yet see him stick around for next season.

Taylor (30) has a year of his current contract to run at the Macron Stadium but with Wanderers looking good for promotion to the Championship, his future opportunities at that club might become even more limited.

As it stands, a player brought back to the club by John Sheridan on deadline day is content to simply focus all his energies on ensuring Athletic remain in Sky Bet League One.

"To be honest, I have not really given it much thought," said Taylor, when asked if he would be open to remaining at the club he has always supported.

"Of course, I would happily stay here longer, but it is hard to talk about when I still have a contract left at Bolton.

FANTASTIC

"I do love it here and since I've been here the lads have been fantastic. Since the gaffer has been here he has got us going and playing some good football and the form since he has been here has been top-six rather than that of a side near the bottom."

Playing on the left of a five-man midfield in the 1-1 draw against Sheffield United, Taylor almost created a goal for Lee Erwin with an accurate cross early in the second half.

Athletic were rank outsiders to win that game and it's likely to be a similar story at Southend. However, Taylor points to Athletic's recent record as evidence as to why the Roots Hall clash is another Sheridan's men are well capable of taking something from.

"Southend are fighting at the opposite end of the table to go up, so it will obviously be a very tough game," he said.

"But since I have been here, we have been in every game and have only not taken points out of two of them - and one of them was at Walsall, when we played with 10 men for a long time.

"We go down there very confident, trying to get three points and get that little bit closer to safety."

With six games left in the season Taylor, who is only four appearances away from his 300th in an Athletic shirt, remains cautious rather than over-confident.

"Football has some funny ways and it's not done until it's done," he said. "We are a long way off being mathematically safe at this stage.

"Until that happens, then we have a lot of hard work left to do."

GAMES

There are three games tonight in League One, with Athletic's rivals near the bottom of the table Bury in action away at Oxford, who may have thoughts of this Sunday's Checkatrade Trophy final against Coventry at Wembley on their minds.

AFC Wimbeldon host Rochdale and Sheffield United, fresh from the 1-1 draw at SportsDirect.com Park, are at home against Millwall.

ATHLETIC have extended the 'early bird' period for buying season tickets for 2017-18 until 3pm on Saturday, April 1.

Up to that deadline, prices are set at £300 adults, £180 concessions and £48 for juniors.