Born winner!

David Eyres (right) and John Sheridan pictured in 2006.

FORMER Athletic favourite David Eyres knows current boss John Sheridan more than most, and he's convinced his former team-mate will already be well down the road in terms of preparation for an assault on the business end of Sky Bet League One next term.

Eyres, now 52, remains a close friend of Sheridan's. The two played alongside one another in Athletic teams during the first half of the last decade.

They even co-caretaker managed the club for 13 games after Iain Dowie left SportsDirect.com Park in December, 2003.

Sheridan is much more experienced and wiser thesedays, though, and Eyres believes further good times beckon in 2016-17 following the breath-taking and successful battle to avoid the drop towards the end of last season.

Eyres, who scored 44 goals in more than 200 appearances for Athletic between 2000-06, said: "I'm sure John will already have plans in his mind regarding what type of player he might want to bring in.

"Whether he'll want three, four, five new players I've no idea, but I'm sure he'll want to make a few additions, lads who will suit his style of play.

"I've known him a long time and he's not daft. He'll have targeted the right players who will give his squad the right balance.

CHALLENGE

"Then it'll be about hitting the ground running again come August.

"Ultimately John is, and always will be, a winner, and he'll be looking to challenge much higher up the table next season."

Eyres is another who is also quick to praise Sheridan for the job he did of rescuing Athletic from what had been a desperate-looking situation when he arrived back at SportsDirect.com Park in January.

"I spoke to John just around the time he returned to Latics," added Eyres.

"He knew he was facing a really tough task in trying to keep them up, but he was determined to give it a right go.

"They looked dead and buried, but you have to give him massive credit for the way he guided them away from trouble by producing what was play-off form.

"He did a fantastic job for the club, but he'll want much more success now.

"He does appear to have a real feel for the club. He knows it inside out and I believe the team can really push on now, with him back at the helm."

Meanwhile, Athletic have released details of a third pre-season friendly fixture.

Sheridan's men will travel to National League North side AFC Fylde on Saturday, July 23, for a match that will kick-off at 3pm.

Further details regarding the location of the fixture and admission prices will be released shortly.

LEEDS United ­- linked last week with a potential move for Sheridan to replace Steve Evans ­- have reportedly turned their attention to trying to tempt Bristol Rovers boss Darrell Clarke into the Elland Road hot-seat.