Mark Allott has a week to make up his mind after being offered a permanent transfer to Chesterfield. The striker's loan spell runs out soon and a contract is on the table at Athletic's second division rivals. Allott joined Chesterfield almost two months ago after the Boundary Park management told him he could leave. The move has worked out well for both the player and his new club, and he could now follow ex-Athletic team-mate Mark Innes in signing a deal. Allott (23) made a flying start at Saltergate, where manager Dave Rushbury was keen to
snap him up at the end of his initial month. But the Middleton-born forward, who started this season as a first-choice Athletic player, asked for more time to think it over.
In the meantime, his loan spell was extended and he immediately played a blinder against Athletic, scoring once and setting up two more as Chesterfield
triumphed 4-2. It would be a surprise if Allott rejected the move as he had been taking flak from the Boundary Park fans before leaving and, if he did choose to return, would struggle to displace Carlo Corazzin, Allan Smart and ex-Chesterfield man David Reeves.