Jack and Arber meet their new colleagues for pre-season training

As expected, Rodney Jack and Mark Arber were at Boundary Park to meet their new colleagues for pre-season training. Several League One teams were interested in Arber but he said, “I know the gaffer’s been after me for some time and he was interested last season. My contract was up and I was already looking at what options were available. I was impressed when I spoke to him especially when he said he wanted to win the league. This move is a challenge for me and I am just as ambitious as he is, I have come here to play in the first division. It was the right time in my career to move on and I know I have made the right choice coming to Oldham it was purely a footballing decision.”

Arber (pictured) recently returned from the South Africa World Cup qualifying squad after doubts were raised over his eligibility. Arber went on, “As far as I am concerned I am eligible to play for South Africa. I was born in Johannesburg and my parents who are both English moved back to this country when I was 3 years old. The issue was raised when I was out there and there were some concerns that if I played then points might be docked. I am hoping that the situation will be clarified by the time South Africa come over here to play in a friendly. It is an achievement and an honour to play for your country and I hope that everything will have been sorted out by then so I can rejoin the squad.”