Wanted man

Liam Kelly . . . Athletic would want a big fee for the midfielder, who is contracted to the club until the end of next season.

ATHLETIC’S inspirational midfield anchor and captain Liam Kelly could be set to leave if a fee can be agreed with one of the chasing clubs.

League One rivals Wigan and Barnsley are thought to be in the market for the 25-year-old skipper, a leading light in a currently poor season for the club. A bid has reportedly been launched for Kelly by Wigan, and if they can find sufficient cash, Barnsley — managed by Lee Johnson, who originally did the deal to bring the Scotland international to Athletic from Bristol City — would also enter the race.

Kelly has played 64 games for the club and scored three goals, and his contract runs out at the end of next season. Athletic would be looking for a sizeable fee.

Barnsley are set to lose the services of Chadderton’s Ben Pearson, who is expected to join Premier League side Bournemouth from Manchester United when the transfer window opens on Saturday. Johnson would be keen to snap up a player he admires greatly.

Losing Kelly’s services would be a hammer blow to Athletic’s hopes of avoiding relegation and would necessitate a replacement holding midfielder of similar standing — a tough task given the club’s resources.

If a deal goes through it would free money to make Richie Wellens’ stay at SportsDirect.com Park permanent. The Doncaster loan man’s time with Oldham ends on Saturday after the crucial home game with Colchester, but he has already said he would like to stay to the end of the seasone.

Athletic will also try to free space in the squad by letting go of fringe players. Two on the list could be left-back Joseph Mills and centre-back James Wilson.

Athletic manager David Dunn will hope to extend the stay of on-loan right-back Cameron Dummigan and is also likely make a renewed move for Dummigan’s club-mate Daniel Lafferty at left back.

Dunn is also searching for a dominating centre back to stiffen defence.

Athletic, without a league win at home since Fleetwood in August, aim to start 2016 with a home victory against Colchester on Saturday.