LATICS boss Dave Penney beat the transfer deadline by moments on Tuesday afternoon to land both Alan Sheehan and Joe Colbeck.

Penney brought both men to Boundary Park inside the final 10 minutes before the 5pm cut-off time after letting Peter Gilbert and Przemyslaw Kazimierczak depart the club earlier that day.

Sheehan has arrived from Leeds United on an initial month’s loan, while Colbeck has signed permanently from Bradford City after a nominal fee was agreed between both parties.

Adding to the good news was that another transfer window went by without in-demand winger Chris Taylor leaving the club.

The 22-year-old had been the subject of interest from Leeds United, but it is understood that although one club had made an offer for Taylor, it was not Simon Grayson’s side, nor was it the figure which Athletic have in mind for him.

Having been named in last season’s Team of the Year for League One, Taylor has been the subject of speculation for the past 18 months.

Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, Plymouth Argyle, Sheffield United, Blackburn Rovers and Wolverhampton Wanderers have all been linked with the player at one time or another since his debut in 2006.

However, it is well known that Taylor – who still has three years of his contract to run at Boundary Park – would be reluctant to leave his home town and try his hand elsewhere.

Speaking last week, Penney attempted to play down reports linking Taylor with a £500,000 switch to Elland Road after further rumours emerged about the player’s future.

He said: "We haven’t had any bids for any players. Everyone seems to think Chris is going to leave but we haven’t had any bids. He’s got three years left on his contract but as I say, I’ve had no phone calls or any bids for him."

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