Dunn’s search to boost firepower

IN CHARGE: David Dunn.

ATHLETIC’S interim boss David Dunn has promised a busy week of transfer activity - with attacking players at the top of the list.

Dunn’s first match in charge at Doncaster was generally satisfactory, with Athletic heading home with a hard-earned point thanks to defender Jonathan Burn’s equaliser in a 1-1 draw.

But it was a match in which Rovers’ ’keeper Thorsten Stuckmann was rarely tested, as firepower was a glaringly missing ingredient.

Front men Rhys Turner and Rhys Murphy left Athletic on loan last week for York and Crawley, while Friday was hectic with 21-year-old Scottish midfielder Jay Fulton drafted on loan from Swansea and ex-Burnley defender Richard Eckersley (26) signing for the club. Dunn was today set to turn his attention to forweard positions.

“I wouldn’t say depleted, but I think the squad is a little bit short - certainly of attacking options. It’s going to be a busy week in terms of recruiting, I would certainly expect to see some centre-forwards coming in. We're working on a few things.

“At times on Saturday both Dominic Poleon and Simonas Stankevicius worked hard, but we probably need a bit more of a presence up there.”

Meanwhile, Dunn was pleased overall with the outcome in his first game as a manager. After a stellar playing career with top-flight sides Blackburn and Birmingham, he dropped himself from the Athletic team at Doncaster to make an early impression from the touchline.

Reflecting on the new managerial experience, Dunn added: “It was difficult at times; when you are a player you can have an effect on a game. When the lads went out at Doncaster it was up to them, and a manager can’t necessarily have too much of an impact - other than losing your voice!

“But I’m pleased how it went. We’re off the mark with a point, and more than anything we’ve had a really good reaction all week. The lads carried it on in the game and that pleases me most after such a bad result against Peterborough.

“Let’s not get too carried away. There’s a lot of work to be done but we’ll be doing everything to put things right.”

Dunn was given a further boost yesterday when club skipper Liam Kelly returned to training following his recent knee operation.