Latics step up Sheehan bid

ATHLETIC have held further talks with Leeds United over extending the loan of left-back Alan Sheehan.

Leeds manager Simon Grayson has informed Athletic counterpart Dave Penney he has no objection to the 23-year-old remaining at Boundary Park for a second month.

It is now a case of the two clubs agreeing the finer points of the arrangement before it can be concluded.

Penney is keen to keep Sheehan as the injured Joe Jacobson, who has yet to play this season because of a pelvic problem, won’t be ready for a recall in the next month.

Sheehan, who scored a brilliant goal against MK Dons on Tuesday, has made six appearances for Athletic and completes his initial month after Saturday’s home game against Yeovil.

Penney has been explaining why he is reluctant to make further moves for loan players, even though the club’s injury crisis has left the first-team squad paper thin.

Athletic’s playing resources have been so stretched that there have been times when they have been down to 12 senior players being available.

“Sometimes you get too many players on loan and you lose your identity. We have three at the moment and I think that is enough,” explained Penney.

That is something Athletic know only too well from last season when former manager John Sheridan flooded his squad with loan signings - a factor that was pinpointed by some people as one of the reasons for their season falling away so badly.

There was one stage towards the end of Sheridan’s tenure that he had seven loan players in his squad, though it was permitted only to play five in any one game.

Athletic’s preparations for Saturday’s home game against Yeovil began today with Jon Worthington back in full training.

The midfield man has been plagued by an ankle problem for a number of weeks and has missed the last four matches.

Worthington will return to the squad providing he does not suffer any setbacks.

o BLUE Square Premier side Luton have parted company with manager Mick Harford by mutual consent and current first–team coach Alan Neilson will become caretaker manager with immediate effect until a new manager is recruited.