Young midfielder set to be one for the future, says Robbo

STEPHEN Robinson

ATHLETIC expect to tie up a deal for Ousmane Fane, with the player due at the club for a medical today.

The Kidderminster Harriers midfield man (22) was not in the squad that took on Grimsby and it was revealed after the game that Athletic had lodged a bid for a player who is still under contract at Aggborough.

Kidderminster, relegated from the Vanarama Conference last season, turned down Athletic's initial offer, but manager Stephen Robinson remained keen on a player he sees as a long-term project and someone who will potentially add value to the squad.

Negotiations progressed over the weekend and though there are a couple of loose ends to tie up, it was expected that the rangy French player, whose former clubs include Lyn FK in Norway, Racing Colombes and GSI Pontivy, would be confirmed as an Athletic player today.

Harriers chairman Colin Gordon, a former agent, said last week that he was talking to his Athletic counterpart Simon Corney over a possible deal for the tall Paris-born player.

ELEMENT

"Oldham historically don't spend money and so there is an element of getting blood out of a stone," Gordon said. "If it's not right we won't do it. We've already chatted about what's next."

As well as Fane, Robinson remains keen to add to his options out wide and up front, with winger Liandro Martis - who has trained recently at Leicester and Manchester United - still in the equation.

The 2-1 loss at Grimsby on Saturday again drove home the message that Athletic lack threat in certain areas of the field.

QUICKLY

"Things don't always move as quickly as you want, but we are well aware we lack a bit of pace and invention out there," Robinson said.

"We are dictated by what we have at the moment and have to play narrow with the four in midfield or even a diamond formation in there.

"We would like to have more options than that. We have decent footballers in the club,but we are still trying to find our way a bit as a squad.

"An injection of pace, as seen with Grimsby who had that at times, is what we need."

Athletic have a final game of pre-season tomorrow night in which those players who didn't feature at Grimsby will be handed a run-out.

The Lancashire FA Senior Cup final sees hosts Manchester United take on Athletic at Leigh Sports Village (7pm kick-off).

Marc Klok (thigh) missed the defeat at Blundell Park, but is expected to be involved.