Duo depart Athletic

Adam Lockwood

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ATHLETIC have defensive sights trained elsewhere after it was revealed George Elokobi and Adam Lockwood have turned down their contract offers from the club.

New deals on reduced terms were handed to the pair, who both missed much of last season through injury. The decision to reject the offers means Athletic must look elsewhere for defensive options.

New boss Darren Kelly said the parting was amicable and he wanted to spread his budget as effectively as possible.

“In terms of the offers made it was a case of swings and roundabouts,” Kelly explained today.

“The incentive was there for them if they were fit. But looking at their injury records, I couldn’t justify offering them the same terms.

“For what I want to do here I need centre-backs who will play 35-plus games a season. Unfortunately these guys have not been able to do that. Ideally I would have liked them to sign — but I understand it from their point of view.”

Elokobi (29) quickly became a fans’ favourite for his wholehearted efforts on the field. But injuries forced him to miss almost half the campaign. Lockwood, who had a big impact behind the scenes as coaching assistant to temporary boss Dean Holden, was absent from the first-team until February with injuries.

Kelly has drawn up a list of replacements: “There are specific areas I am looking at and I want to start at the back,” he added.

Kelly is primed to add to his staff with a coach who carries experience of international football.