Kilkenny still keen to join Latics

Athletic are still hopeful of bringing Neil Kilkenny back to Boundary Park to become what could be the final piece of the jigsaw. It is thought that Birmingham City were considering taking Chris Porter as part of a deal to bring in Kilkenny, but that deal fell flat after Porter absconded to Scotland leaving the Latics with no compensation.

Simon Corney said, "We've spoken to Neil on more than one occasion and he knows how keen we are to sign him. The difficulty is that he has played about 25 games in the Premiership, so working something out financially isn't going to be easy. There's no way we can afford to buy him, but I know he enjoyed it here last time and quite likes the idea of coming back. Birmingham were interested in signing Chris Porter in exchange, but obviously that didn't happen. Now we are competing with a few other clubs, but we are doing our best and you never know."

Kilkenny is keen to return to Boundary Park as his girlfriend and family live in the area.