Stand by for player influx

SHEFKI Kuqi

ATHLETIC have planned for a host of players to arrive early next week ­- provided the loose ends are tied up with the managerial duo.

The club remain confident they will land Shefki Kuqi as the touchline presence for the coming campaign, with the experienced figure of Sean O'Driscoll in the background as director of football.

Peter Shirtliff is thought to be well-placed to take on the role as Kuqi's assistant. Confirmation of the appointments could arrive at some stage today.

Once unveiled, Athletic are expected to move quickly to bring in a series of fresh faces.

At the same stage last year, under Darren Kelly, there were 19 contracted senior professionals at his disposal.

Twelve months on and, not including the three teenagers who signed their first professional deals this week, Athletic only have six men under contract ahead of the players reporting back for pre-season training on Monday.

Goalkeepers and a goalkeeping coach are one of the priorities, with three of last season's shot-stoppers and their mentor all having left the club. Number one Joel Coleman joined Huddersfield for an undisclosed fee, David Cornell was released and has signed for Northampton and teenage 'keeper Chris Renshaw moved to Everton, while fitness and goalkeeping coach Anthony White has started a new job with Bournemouth.

A commanding centre-back will also be near the top of the 'wanted' list ­- a renewed move for Anthony Gerrard was described by then-manager John Sheridan late last season as unlikely ­- as will strikers, with contracted men Jake Cassidy and Rhys Murphy not seeing much first-team action last time out. Murphy could be set to move back to Crawley, where he enjoyed goalscoring success on loan.

Athletic said this week that a list of player targets had been compiled and deals are ready to be signed off by the new team of backroom staff.

But hopes of keeping striker Jonathan Forte appear to be receding fast.

Reports from the East Midlands suggest the out-of-contract forward was to have a medical today at Notts County, where he would again work under Sheridan.

Forte (29) has scored 18 goals in two seasons for Athletic across 65 games.