It's time to talk

CONTRACT EXTENSION? . . . Lee Croft

ATHLETIC will engage in talks to extend the contracts of those players currently on short-term deals at the club.

Speaking on a radio phone-in show last night, manager Stephen Robinson suggested the club are mindful to soon extend "three or four" of those players whose contracts run to an end in four months' time.

Lee Croft, Luke Woodland, Marc Klok, Charles Dunne and Calaum Jahraldo-Martin are the men in question and of those, only Woodland and Jahraldo-Martin have not featured much this term, with the latter man recovering from a hamstring problem sustained during a promising debut.

Robinson also stated that his squad is only really missing an additional centre-back as cover, following on from the decision to let teenager George Edmundson leave for Alfreton on loan this week in order to pick up experience in the Vanarama National League North.

Fellow young squad player Danny Byrnes yesterday joined Evo-Stik Premier side Colwyn Bay on a one-month youth loan.

"We have our eyes on people, but it does depend on finances," said Robinson, when asked about the free transfer market and going on to suggest it may well be January before additional bodies arrive.

As for another squad player who has struggled to get game-time this season, Carl Winchester, Robinson says his attitude recently has been what he is looking for.

Winchester (23) had been linked with a move away from SportsDirect.com Park as a result of his lack of first-team opportunities before the transfer window shut.

"We have put an ultimatum to him," he added.

"We are trying to get him fitter and stronger.

"He has really bought into it in the past couple of weeks, was on the bench on Saturday and we hope that when he comes to the fore he is like a free signing for us."

And as the sixth different manager in less than a year-and-a-half, Robinson says he is getting on with planning to try to help give the club a more stable footing long-term.

"In truth, I don't think there has ever been a long-term plan at Oldham," the boss added.

"I have come in and instantly you have to try to get the first team to work and for the new players to understand each other. That's what we have done initially, with the hardest bit being the final third which is what we are working on.

"As a club, it needs stability and there was no real modern thinking around the club when I came in. We have added strength and conditioning and GPS systems and if you are going to bring in players from Manchester United, Manchester City or Crystal Palace you need it in place to attract them.

"We have tried to do that and while I know long-term that if I don't win games I probably won't be here, it's the right thing long-term for the club."