Oldham Athletic have turned down an approach from Blackpool for winger Chris Taylor.
Pool try to tempt Latics into winger sale
Oldham Athletic have turned down an approach from Blackpool for winger Chris Taylor.
The promising wide man has impressed in the past couple of seasons and caught the eye of several clubs further up the football pyramid.
Wes Hoolahan is expected to quit Bloomfield Road in the pre-season, with Blackpool boss Simon Grayson eager to get in a replacement quickly if this proves to be the case.
However, Oldham are reluctant to lose any of their prized assets and are unlikely to do business unless a substantial offer - more than Blackpool are currently offering - is lodged.
And this stance has been whole heartedly praised by Latics assistant boss Tommy Wright.
"I'm delighted because Chris is an important player for us and somebody we hope will have a big impact next season," he told the
Oldham Chronicle.
"We usually see him on the left, but he's versatile enough to cover two or three positions and he hasn't let us down in any of them.
"He's an honest player who works hard, and he has got plenty of ability too. He has his bad games, but so does everybody else.
"I've worked with the lad since he was 14 so I know him very well. We are trying to get the very best out of him, and hopefully that will happen consistently next season.
"We aren't kidding ourselves - we know this is a club who will have to sell players if the price is right - but I think the owners have done the right thing.
"It shows ambition and a bit of common sense. We know Chris has a lot of admirers, but it will be great if we can keep hold of him."
Hughes boost
In other news, Oldham striker Lee Hughes could be fit for the start of the season after beginning rehabilitation on his long-standing groin injury.
Hughes, 31, has been sidelined since the end of January after being laid low by the injury but surgery has put the former West Brom and Coventry forward on the road to recovery.
Latics physiotherapist Marc Czuczman told the club's official website: "Lee is coming along well and he's looking fit and strong at the moment.
"He has been putting in lots of work in the gym and in the pool and his strength is fantastic.
"We've had Lee running on the treadmill and I'm hoping to take him outside to start his functional rehab in the next two or three days.
"Hopefully he will be back in action for either the first or second week of pre-season training."
