On the move

LIAM KELLY . . . the midfield man has played under five different managers at SportsDirect.com Park

LIAM Kelly is set to leave Athletic, with Leyton Orient in the driving seat to seal the midfielder's signature.

The Chronicle can reveal that the skipper (26) is heading to Brisbane Road for a medical today ahead of a potential move that would end a two-year association for the reigning player of the season.

Other clubs have shown an interest in Kelly ­- who has another year left to run on his contract at SportsDirect.com Park ­- but the Brisbane Road side are at the front of the queue.

It is not known at this stage what sort of fee will be involved.

A former Kilmarnock and Bristol City player, Kelly has been a highly influential figure in Athletic's midfield since joining the club in a deal that saw Korey Smith head in the other direction to Ashton Gate.

A real leader on the pitch, he had his best scoring season for the club in 2015-16, netting six times including a match-winning penalty at Peterborough and a draw-saving effort late in the season at Fleetwood.

Brought in to the club by his former Killie playing colleague Lee Johnson, he has appeared under five different managers during his stay with Athletic.

Kelly's expected departure means Athletic's squad is down to six contracted players. Connor Brown, Jake Cassidy, Rhys Murphy, Carl Winchester, George Edmundson and Danny Brynes are the remaining players on the books.

One of the contenders, Stuart McCall, now appears set to instead step into the hot-seat back at Bradford City.

McCall (52) spoke to Athletic about the boss role, but is reported to have agreed in principle go back to his spiritual home at Valley Parade.

Steve Evans remains firmly in the frame for the Athletic job and though the club had hoped to get a deal concluded by the end of this week, in reality an appointment could now be finalised across the weekend, provided contractual details can be worked out.