Name in the frame

SEAN O'Driscoll has emerged as a new candidate for the Athletic job.

The Chronicle understands that a fresh short list has been drawn up in the hunt for a new boss.

And O'Driscoll, a former Doncaster, Nottingham Forest and Walsall manager, who also had a three-month stint last year as Brendan Rodgers' assistant at Liverpool, is one of the contenders.

However, it remains to be seen whether Athletic will ultimately plump for the 58-year-old.

He had a difficult short spell last season with Walsall, lasting only 16 games before being sacked, though he does boast vast experience in the game.

Athletic are keen to make an appointment ahead of the pre-season training programme resuming, with players due at the University of Bolton next Friday for fitness testing.

The squad will then take to the training field at Chapel Road for the first time on the week beginning Monday, July 4, which is 12 days before the first friendly of pre-season at home to Championship outfit Huddersfield Town.

The future of John Sheridan's former assistant Peter Shirtliff is yet to be decided and could well be dictated by whoever steps in to the top job at SportsDirect.com Park.

Shirtliff (55) made a big impact when coming in last term alongside Sheridan, with Athletic on the losing side only four times in 19 games in the period he was at the club leading to the 1-0 win over Crewe which secured safety from relegation.

Athletic captain Liam Kelly has yet to complete his move to Leyton Orient.

The 26-year-old has a lucrative offer on the table from the Brisbane Road outfit and had a medical at the club late last week following his return from a holiday.

If the move is confirmed, Athletic will be due a fee for a player who has a year left to run on his contract.

It would leave the new manager with only six professionals on the club's books, in addition to the three former scholars who have been offered deals for next season.

A host of out-of-contract players are also pondering deals put to them, with some understood to be waiting on the appointment of a new manager before finalising agreements.

Timothee Dieng, Jonathan Forte, James Wilson, Anthony Gerrard, Brian Wilson, Lee Croft and Dominic Poleon are all available on free transfers.