Clarke's seal of approval

ATHLETIC captain Peter Clarke played alongside Dan Gardner at Bury

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PETER Clarke reckons his former team-mate can add much-needed spark in the final third next season.

Athletic's captain played alongside new signing Dan Gardner when the ex-Chesterfield man was on loan at Bury two seasons ago, playing six times towards the end of the campaign.

Clarke rates Gardner (27) as a player capable of unpicking defences thanks to his attacking skills, while also being able to adapt to operate in a deeper role if needed.

"Dan was on loan at Bury while I was there and he is a very talented footballer," said Clarke. "He is really comfortable on the ball.

"POSITION"

"He played in a slightly different position when we played against him at Chesterfield back in February to where I've seen him play before. He was a deeper-lying player then who (Spireites manager) Gary Caldwell probably wanted to get on the ball to dictate play.

"But he looked comfortable in that role too. Wherever the manager decides to play him, I am sure he will have an impact and be calm and composed on the ball, using it well and hopefully chipping in with a few goals and assists to give us some real verve and impetus in that final third.

"If you look at players like Dan and Ryan Flynn, they are the sort of players who can do a little bit of something different to open up defences and perhaps find that pass others don't see.

"With players like that, plus maybe one or two other additions, we can perhaps really raise that 'goals for' column."

FLURRY

While there hasn't yet been a flurry of activity in the new player market at SportsDirect.com, Clarke stressed that the fact that a strong squad is already in place hands the club an advantage compared to how the season began last time around.

"It's certainly a different scenario from 12 months ago and it leaves us in a better position," he added. "We have players who know each other's games, which can only be beneficial. Add to that a few more additions and we should have the makings of a good, competitive squad that can get off to a decent start and see where that takes us."

Athletic's Sky Bet League One fixtures for 2017-18 will be revealed soon - the full list will be published in tomorrow's Chronicle - but the identity of first-round opponents in the Carabao Cup is already known, with Burton travelling to SportsDirect.com Park.

"You are pleased to get a home draw and I believe it's a tie that is very much winnable," Clarke said, of that clash against the Championship club.

"There are one or two others in the draw you perhaps wouldn't have wanted, but we have plenty of work to go on before that."