Oldham Athletic boss Harry Kewell has given an update on rumours suggesting Australian international midfielder Jackson Irvine is signing for the League Two club.
The midfielder has been training with the Latics are finding himself without a club after leaving Hull City this summer but it appears the Latics are unlikely to sign the player on a permanent basis.
When asked if there was anything in the transfer talk surrounding the 27-year-old, Harry Kewell was quick to dismiss the idea his side would be getting a deal sorted for the player.
“I would love to say more, but no for Jackson he’s been a little unfortunate. He’s had a couple of offer but right at the last moment because of the COVID stuff, they fell through and he’s found himself in a little bit of limbo.
“It’s not a nice feeling as a footballer so, obviously, knowing him and the professional he is, he asked (to train with the Oldham) and I said I’d be happy to because what he brings is that extra bit of quality.”
The Latics boss also believes the club will benefit with Irvine able to offer an outside view on the setup at Oldham.
“It’s good to see what he sees and to get another opinion,” Kewell told Latics iFollow. “I do talk to to him a lot to find out what’s good and what’s bad and see how it is, but I’d love to say there is more to it but no there isn’t.”
The Oldham boss is hoping his players will also benefit from training alongside a play with Irvine’s quality.
“As much as we’re helping him, he’ll help us. He helps some of the players, the players get on well with him they can learn from him and give them vital information I can’t give them, especially in certain positions.
“As I said, we’re here to help him out and get him fit and hopefully he can move onto bigger and better things because we need him back, definitely for Australia.”
Oldham take on Harrogate on Boxing Day with the Latics hoping to build on their win at league leaders Newport County. That victory has left Kewell’s side just four points outside the play-off picture and an improvement in their home form could see the former Premier League outfit close the gap even further.