Latics to make Reeves move permanant

Athletic are on the verge of completing a permanent deal for striker David Reeves. They have agreed terms with the veteran whose loan spell has brought three goals in three games. At the same time, Mark Innes is poised to join Chesterfield after making a big impact on loan. Innes (23) has been with Athletic since his mid-teens, but he started only two games this season and has been told he can leave Boundary Park. Mark Allott, the third loan-link between the clubs, will stay in Derbyshire for another month and has the option of joining full-time. He was one of several men made available by Athletic last month but wants to think over a permanent move.

Reeves, Innes and Allott are due to meet on Saturday in a fascinating division-two clash at Saltergate. Even if the transfers are held up, there is no clause saying the loan players can’t face their current clubs. Reeves is still Chesterfield’s captain and top scorer, but he is also a high-earner at a club with well-known financial problems.

He will sign for Athletic in a two-and-half-year deal, making them the ninth port of call in his long career. Innes, meanwhile, was due out of contract in the summer and is leaving in a free transfer, with Athletic taking a big percentage of any sell-on fee. His Boundary Park career featured 73 league appearances, many of them at left-back, and one goal. But he has slotted into Chesterfield’s midfield and scored in both matches to date.

The Innes move is set to go through despite Spireites manager Nicky Law quitting to take over at Bradford. Of Chesterfield’s four goals since Innes and Allott arrived, they have scored three and made the other.