Danny’s Pool deal

Danny Philliskirk: signing for Blackpool

ATHLETIC’S top scorer Danny Philliskirk is set to join rivals Blackpool.

A fee of £75,000 has been agreed between the clubs and the player was at Bloomfield Road yesterday to talk over the move.

Indications last night were that a deal has been finalised, subject to a medical and minor details being ironed out, for the youth system graduate, who is out of contract at SportsDirect.com Park this summer, albeit with Athletic having an option for an additional 12 months.

Two weeks ago, manager David Dunn spoke of his desire to keep hold of one of his most trusted players when Blackpool’s interest in a deal was reported.

“Of course, I would not want to lose Philly — not in a million years,” he said at the time.

But with the club struggling for money, a decision has been made to let go one of the sellable assets within the squad.

It means Philliskirk is now set to line up for Neil McDonald’s men against Athletic twice in 11 days next month, in a pair of fixtures that could prove crucial to both clubs’ fortunes.

As it stands, Pool are one spot and four points clear of 22nd-placed Athletic in the relegation zone in Sky Bet League One, having played a game more.

Athletic are at home to Blackpool on Saturday, February 6, before heading to Bloomfield Road for a rearranged game on Tuesday, February 16.

Philliskirk has made 124 appearances for Athletic since coming back to the club two years ago, scoring 25 times and playing in a number of roles in midfield and up front as a first-team regular.

His seven goals this season include League One match-winners against Fleetwood, Swindon and Chesterfield — Athletic’s only three wins in 2015-16 — and he also netted in draws against Sheffield United and Coventry.

On the way in for manager David Dunn, who remains at the helm despite social media rumours to the contrary, are full-back pair Cameron Dummigan and Daniel Lafferty, after new loan deals were agreed with their parent club Burnley.

It is hoped that a deal can be completed for midfield man Richie Wellens, too. The 35-year-old has accepted terms to cancel his contract at Doncaster Rovers, clearing the path for him to join a new club.

Dunn is keen to land Wellens and could end up using some of the Philliskirk fee to facilitate a contract offer.

Lee Carsley has stated on his verified twitter account that there is no truth in rumours that he may replace Dunn as Athletic’s manager.

Carsley (41) had a successful spell in temporary charge of Brentford earlier this season before returning to his duties with the club’s academy, always insisting he didn’t want the job permanently.