Kieran’s key to a new deal

PLAYING FOR HIS FUTURE . . . Kieran Lee is hoping his recent performances for Athletic will earn him a new deal when his current contract expires.

PARK LIFE:

Confidence returns as full-back cements his place

KIERAN LEE is a man in form.

The Tameside-born 21-year-old has been a shining light in recent games for Athletic, mainly operating as a ball-playing full-back.

On Tuesday night, the former Manchester United trainee switched wings from right to left on his return from a one-match ban in order to give manager Dave Penney a better option in terms of bringing the ball out of defence.

And he played a starring role as Athletic ground out a 0-0 draw at MK Dons which edged the club towards a points total which will hopefully see them compete in League One again next season.

Lee's attentions now switch to the trip north to Carlisle on Saturday, another game he feels Athletic can get something from.

"It was just about getting the chance to get a run in the team and from there, getting my confidence up," said Lee, who had been a peripheral figure until starting at right-back in a 1-0 home defeat to Norwich in late February, since when only suspension has kept him out of the line-up.

"It was disappointing getting a red card at Huddersfield which halted my progress a little bit, meaning I missed a game.

"But I came back at MK Dons and felt I did well.

"I think at the start of the game we would have been happy with the point. But then, looking at how it panned out, we could easily have come away with all three.

"But we are happy with the draw and, looking at the other results on the night, most went our way.

"We will be looking to get all three points at Carlisle and I think we are capable of doing so.

"We need those points and a few more should see us safe."

Lee's future appeared to lie away from Boundary Park when he wasn't catching the first team.

Now, as an established player in Penney's side, he is hoping for a new contract when his current deal expires at the end of the season.

"I am looking for a new one, though obviously it is not my decision," he admitted.


ATHLETIC'S young winger Kirk Millar is set to return to training this week after spending time on the sidelines with a calf problem.

The 17-year-old from Northern Ireland has made two first-team appearances from the start this season, nearly finding the net in the opening minute of his second against Gillingham.

But a slight strain picked up before the game at Huddersfield led to Millar being rested in order for it to settle down.

Millar, who made his professional debut back home for Linfield when he was just 15, suffered from cramping in both his starts under Dave Penney and the injury now holding him back could be related to that.