Latics eyes on Cohen

Larry Cohen: free agent has been playing at centre-back

ATHLETIC are to run the rule over Larry Cohen as a possible addition to the side’s defensive ranks

The 27 year old from Johannesburg was due to start a week-long trial at the club this morning, according to reports from South Africa. The free agent has been playing centre-back for the Moroka Swallows, but is equally capable as a defensive midfielder.

It is in the former role that manager Darren Kelly will be especially keen to see first-hand how strong an operator Cohen is. The player spent time at Tottenham as a youngster and also had a trial at Brentford four years ago. He was lined up to make his debut for the Lithuania national side in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifier against England at Wembley in March before FIFA ruled him ineligible.

Cohen had been set to sign for Israeli Premier League club Beitar Jerusalem two weeks ago, only for the move to fall through. He becomes one of several players currently on trial in Oldham, including goalkeeper David Cornell.

Manager Kelly says all the prospective players have impressed him - but with the biggest gaps in the squad at centre-back, his priorities are clear.

“The main thing is that come the first league game, I have the squad we need,” Kelly said. “You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to see the areas we need to strengthen.”

On his first week in charge on the field, Kelly made a point of praising his staff: “It has been brilliant,” he said. “I don’t fear big challenges. Dean Holden has been fantastic and so has Jim Harvey. There are the unsung heroes there as well.”