From todays Chron!!!
Latics line up Clarke swoop
Leon Clarke
by TONY BUGBY
SHEFFIELD Wednesday’s Leon Clarke is the striker wanted by Athletic to provide extra firepower for their promotion push in Coca-Cola League One.
Athletic have confirmed that Clarke (pictured), who had a successful loan spell at Boundary Park last season, is the front player they are pursuing.
But the club is unhappy that a local radio station in Sheffield reported that Athletic’s bid for Clarke has been accepted and a move hinges on him agreeing personal terms.
Alan Hardy, Athletic’s chief executive, said: “I am disappointed news has leaked out as we try to keep negotiations for players private until terms have been agreed.
“We have spoken to Sheffield Wednesday and they have given us permission to speak to the player which we have done, and we are waiting for an answer from him.”
Clarke had been expected to conclude a £200,000 move to Coca-Cola League One rivals Southend United after a loan spell only for that to collapse due to contractual issues.
The 22-year-old had scored seven times for the Shrimpers during his three-month loan in addition to one goal for Wednesday early in the campaign.
Clarke kicked off his career at Wolves and was transferred to Wednesday last January for an undisclosed sum. Only one month later he was surprisingly loaned to Athletic, for whom he scored three goals in five league appearances.
Athletic have been dealt a new injury blow with defender John Thompson damaging knee ligaments in yesterday’s 2-1 reserve-team defeat at Stoke.
The injury to Thompson’s knee was being assessed today, but it looks as though the former Nottingham Forest player faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
But there is some cheer on the injury front with Chris Taylor’s hamstring injury responding well to treatment and he could be back at Yeovil on Saturday week.
Andy Liddell had his Achilles tendon operation on Monday and the surgeon was delighted with how it went.
Sean Gregan in back in rehab after also undergoing surgery on a long-standing Achilles problem.
Athletic reserves took the lead at Stoke through a Lewis Alessandra goal only for Stoke to hit back with strikes from Vincent Pericard and Lewis Buxton.