Cash will boost Latics forward line

ATHLETIC could attempt to bring Matt Derbyshire back to Boundary Park.

ATHLETIC manager Paul Dickov will have more money to spend now the club has landed the plum tie with Liverpool in the FA Cup fourth round.

Chairman Simon Corney said new players will be coming to Boundary Park as a result of the lucrative run – though warned that finding players might take time.

Dickov’s priority is a striker and a central midfield man to cover Dean Furman’s Africa Cup of Nations absence.

And speculation will follow that the windfall from the Liverpool tie — boosted by another £135,850 if it is shown live on TV - will spark a bid to bring loan hero Matt Derbyshire back to Boundary Park from Nottingham Forest.

“We are not going to rush or panic,” said Corney. “It is about survival this season, FA Cup apart, so let’s do clever business.”

Derbyshire, who scored six goals on loan with Athletic, has been told he can leave the City Ground.

His preference is for a permanent contract, but if not, a move back to Boundary Park could be on.

“I have said to Matt it would be better if he found a club,” said Forest manager Alex McLeish.

“If he is still here a month from now, and still down the pecking order, it’s not right for him or Forest.”

Meetings have been taking place about ticket arrangements for the Liverpool game; announcements will follow once the tie has a date (provisionally the weekend of January 26/27).

Corney hopes the impact of the win at Forest can last well into the rest of the season.

“There is no getting away from the fact we are in a relegation fight with very tough games coming up,” said Athletic's chairman.

“But this is a huge fillip for us. Who knows what impact it will have both on and off the field.”