Boss weighs up new Mag bid

Photo: Juel Miah

SENIOR CUP CHANCE . . . Carl Winchester will hope to shine at the Leigh Sports Village tonight

ATHLETIC are contemplating a fresh bid for striker Josh Magennis.

The Kilmarnock striker, who worked with manager Stephen Robinson for Northern Ireland in Euro 2016, was the subject of an unsuccessful cash bid from Athletic yesterday.

The 25-year-old striker, who was Killie's top scorer last season with 13 goals, is seen as a major player up front should Athletic be able to strike a deal with the forward, who appeared as a substitute in all four of his country's games in France this summer.

And while a possible transfer for former Cardiff and Aberdeen man Magennis is being talked through, Athletic expect to today tie up a cash deal for Kidderminster midfield man Ousmane Fane, who had a medical at the club yesterday.

Meanwhile, fitness will play a major role in deciding what line-up Athletic will start the season, with no decisions yet made as to who will play.

Boss Robinson plans to give a run-out tonight to those players who have not been involved as much as others. The Lancashire FA Senior Cup tie against Manchester United at Leigh Sports Village (7pm kick-off) will provide opportunities for the likes of Marck Klok, Carl Winchester and Luke Woodland to shine, after none of that trio took to the field at Grimsby.

While certain areas of the field appear to pick themselves - other than a fight for the right-back slot between Josh Law and Brian Wilson, the defence and goalkeeper look assured of their positions - Robinson stressed that it is up to all the players to convince him and his coaching staff they are worthy of a place in the XI at The Den on Saturday.

With continuing concerns over fitness amid the summer scramble for players, the manager intimated that his choices will not come down solely to ability.

"Everything is still up for grabs and I am still getting to see the players up close," Robinson said.

"They are finding their feet still in terms of what we want from them.

"We know what we want to do and I would not have any qualms about putting Josh or Brian into that right-back slot. They will both perform at the level we need them to.

"We are looking this week for people to step up and make our minds up over things.

"And it will depend a lot on fitness levels as to what team we put out."

Robinson's plan to get his squad in optimal shape is to ease off the workload as the weekend approaches. Athletic have investigated the possibility of players and staff taking a train down to Millwall instead of a coach to cut down on travelling time.