I’m not wanted here –– Purdie

ROB PURDIE

ROB Purdie believes he doesn’t have a future at Athletic, no matter how well he performs during his loan spell at Hereford United.

The transfer-listed midfielder, who has never played a senior competitive game for Athletic, has scored three goals in as many games since joining the Bulls on a deal which runs until January.

But Purdie, who also revealed he contacted the Edgar Street outfit offering his services, said: “I'm not here to play games in order to get fit and go back to Oldham.

“I don't have a future at Oldham whether I score 20 goals or two goals in my loan spell. It doesn't matter.

"I’m just here to win myself a contract and do well for Jamie (Pitman, caretaker manager)."

He added: “I spoke to Jamie when he first got the job and had a bit of banter with him.

"He gave me a chance and I came down and played a reserve game to prove my fitness.

"It's a bit of a gamble for him because I haven't played for 18 months. I hope to be able to re-pay him."

Purdie became former Athletic boss Dave Penney’s first signing when he switched from Darlington on a two-year deal in May, 2009.

But a string of injury setbacks, including a persistent hip problem, prevented him from making an appearance.

Paul Dickov made him available for transfer after replacing Penney in the summer.

Purdie’s Boundary Park misery is in stark contrast to a successful five-year stint at Hereford earlier in his career.

He clocked up 184 games, many of which came alongside his former team-mate Pitman, who succeeded Simon Davey last month.

Pitman has until the end of the year to land the job on a permanent basis, having stepped up from his physiotherapist role.

His healing abilities clearly extend to resuscitating players’ careers, and Purdie is confident the dark days are behind him after going ‘home’.

"I wanted to make sure I was fit,” he said. "I had a hip injury and I was misdiagnosed a couple of times. I had three operations last season.

"It's been a long, hard year and I was told I had no chance of playing for Oldham. It's been a tough 18 months.

"So it was good to come back to Hereford. It's a club where I feel at home."