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Signing on

26/ 5/2004

BRIAN Talbot's squad re-shaping continued this week with Mark Bonner, Danny Hall and Les Pogliacomi agreeing new two-year deals at Boundary Park.

Bonner, a transfer deadline day signing from Cardiff City, will help strengthen the midfield department in the wake of the departures of Paul Murray and Darren Sheridan.

Talbot has also confirmed that John Eyre, who switched to centre-forward in the latter stages of the season, will revert back to a midfield role.

Hall gets his reward for making his first-team breakthrough last term, while highly-rated goalkeeper Pogliacomi spurned an approach from Murray's new club, Beira Mar.

Talbot has also handed free transfers to out-of-favour trio Matty Appleby, Dave Beharall and Michael Clegg.

He said: "Slowly but surely things are taking shape. I'm hopeful Jermaine Johnson will agree a one-year deal later this week which will leave just Will Haining and David Eyres to make their decisions before June 1."

"I've been looking at a first division striker who is out of contract. I want a target man who can hold the ball up and also score goals."

"He fits the bill but I don't yet know if we will get him - we have to watch our budget with these decisions."

"I think we also have to look to bring in a young goalkeeper who has potential - perhaps a promising lad that has been released by a bigger club."

The Latics boss is reluctant to name targets, but may be disappointed to learn that Luton Town's Chris Coyne signed a new two-year deal this week while Southend United's Leon Cort is set to join Hull City.

Sunderland's Eire under-21 international striker Michael Reddy is now a free agent and may be in Talbot's sights - but weekend reports suggesting striker Matthew Tipton had spurned an offer to rejoin the club in favour of staying at Macclesfield Town are wide of the mark.