Athletic are keen to retain the services of leading scorer Chris Porter and have already opened contract talks with him. Porter will become a free agent at the end of this season so the Latics will have to act sharply if they wish to retain the services of 19 goal hot-shot Porter. Several Championship sides have been following his progress and he is sure to be in demand if Athletic fail to tie him to Boundary Park for the immediate future.Porter said, “I know clubs have been watching myself and a few of the other lads, which is always flattering. I'm delighted with the season so far and I'm still learning all the time from the coaching staff and the rest of the players. This has been a good club for me since I signed. I'm really enjoying my football at the moment and hopefully the goals will keep coming. My contract will be up at the end of the season, but it's fair to say talks have begun.”
Porter cost Athletic £100,000 when he signed from neighbours Bury and the Shakers included a sell-on clause as part of the deal, although it's fair to say that Athletic do not want to lose him as he can help them return to the second level of football in the Championship.