Brown faces Latics exit

Connor Brown

CONNOR Brown is set to leave Athletic before the start of next season.

The 24-year-old full-back, brought to the club four years ago by Paul Dickov, still has another year to run on his playing contract at SportsDirect.com Park.

However, the Chronicle understands that the defender will be allowed to leave in order to find a new club elsewhere.

Brown only played 14 times last season for Athletic. He was sent off in John Sheridan's first match in charge at Bradford, only 16 minutes after coming on as a first-half substitute, and found it difficult to fight his way past a host of competitors for the full-back spots.

His last start for Athletic was in the 1-0 defeat at relegated Crewe back in November.

In total, Brown played 98 times for the club and was credited with one goal, a match-winner in the 1-0 victory at Colchester on April 18, 2014.

In that same season, the former Sheffield United trainee had a loan spell at Carlisle in Sky Bet League Two, playing eight times in a two-month stay at Brunton Park before returning to Athletic.

His impending departure from the squad means Athletic ­- on the hunt for a new manager after John Sheridan left for Notts County ­- will be left with only six senior professionals on the books, including Joel Coleman, who is set to move to Huddersfield.

Athletic want to appoint a manager who will be welcomed by supporters, mindful of the supporters' derision that greeted the news that fans' favourite Sheridan had elected to drop down a division to take on the job at Meadow Lane.

Meanwhile, Athletic have today been linked with a potential swoop for Hartlepool midfielder Michael Woods.

The 26-year-old is out of contract at Victoria Park and is believed to be interesting Athletic, but 'Pools boss Craig Hignett reckons Woods will stay in the North-East.

CHARLTON Athletic have appointed Russell Slade as their manager following their relegation to Sky Bet League One last month.

The experienced 55-year-old joins the Addicks from his role as head of football at Cardiff City and has signed a three-year contract at The Valley.

Elsewhere, former Athletic striker Shefki Kuqi is the leading contender for the manager's job at Port Vale, reports BBC Radio Stoke.