Shez looks to seal deals

Paul Green

ATHLETIC manager John Sheridan is confident the crop of players offered new deals will sign on the dotted line.

Sheridan says that while not all of the five men - including regular first-teamers Brian Wilson, Paul Green and Tope Obadeyi - have responded to their contract offers, he is only aware of minor snags and hopes to tie up the deals before the May 31 deadline.

"I haven't heard back from all of them, but I am positive it will be good news and they will stay, which I am pleased about," said Sheridan, who was at SportsDirect.com Park yesterday.

"There are one or two little issues, but they are not big ones. Hopefully, they will get sorted.

"With the likes of Paul Green, Tope Obadeyi and Brian Wilson, I'm hoping that they are all going to stay with us.

"There was a good vibe with them here last season. I feel they are in a place they want to be and they enjoy coming in to work, which was important to me when I was a player.

"I think they feel part of the team, so I hope they will all come back. I would like to know - and if they are going to move on, then good luck to them.

"But I'm hoping it will all be sorted."

Following the departure of Ian Baraclough, Sheridan is also on the look-out for a new assistant.

"I have a person in mind," he said. "I have still to speak to him to try to sort it out and again, I have to make sure it's the right decision and hopefully get him on board."

As far as new players are concerned, there have been talks with two new targets, but when it comes to a new goalkeeper to replace Connor Ripley, Sheridan indicated that he won't go for a quick-fix solution.

"I made an offer to one player last week and met with one yesterday," he added.

"I know what positions I'm looking for and what I feel we need. I know what sort of budget we have got and what sort of player we can attract.

"It won't all happen straight away. I would like to get one or two in, if I can gets deals agreed.

"But it's still very early. Some managers jump straight in and I would like one or two, but I do realise it's important to be a bit patient.

"Regarding a goalkeeper, I have to make sure that's the right decision with the 'keeper. Then with loans, they will also be later in the day."

Athletic have organised their second pre-season friendly.

The summer programme will start with a trip to Stalybridge Celtic on Saturday, July 8 (3pm kick-off). Admission at Bower Fold is £7 adults, £4 concessions and £1 unaccompanied under-16s.

Athletic are already down to face Curzon Ashton at the Tameside Stadium on Tuesday, July 18 (7.45pm).