Monaghan interested in Athlone 'keeper Schlingermann

Speculation that Roddy Collins' Monaghan Utd are interested in signing Athlone Town keeper Micheál Schlingermann continues this week. Athlone Town assistant manager Padraig Moran told the Westmeath Independent that Schlingermann remains an Athlone Town player, although it's understood Monaghan have made contact with Athlone regarding the keeper. Moran also stressed the decision to start newly-signed goalkeeper Brian Collopy instead of the Mayo native against Wexford Youths was not in any way related to the transfer speculation surrounding Schlingermann. "Mike (Kerley) just felt he needed a change in goal," Moran said. And Moran also revealed the club is looking at the possibility of securing a number of loan signings in the coming weeks, "We've got to sit down and discuss these and see what we need. There are couple of very good players in the offing," he said. Meanwhile, after a morale-boosting victory over Wexford Youths last weekend, Athlone are now earmarking another three points away to Mervue Utd on Friday (kick-off 7.45pm). "After the Longford and Shelbourne games in which the performances were quite good, I felt that the Wexford game was huge," Moran said. "And with our confidence levels up, we will now be looking at the Mervue game for another three points." Moran said Athlone need to secure victories over sides such as Mervue, who are in a similar league position as themselves. "We've got there and go at them and try and grind out the three points," he said, although he accepted that Johnny Glynn had Mervue playing some good football. Meanwhile, a number of the youth team players who had been studying for their Leaving Certificate, including Alan Coffey, Joe Woods and Robbie Murray, are now all back training with the first-team squad. Niall Scullion, who limped off early in the victory over Wexford, is being assessed by the club physio this week and a decision on his participation at the weekend will be made later in the week. Declan Fallon is available again, whilst Bobby Tier is currently a doubt due to personal reasons.