Latics reject Vernon bid

Oldham Athletic have turned down a permanent bid from League One rivals Blackpool for striker Scott Vernon.

The 20-year-old has been on a month's loan to Colin Hendry's Seasiders, but is expected to return to Boundary Park next week after The Latics announced that Blackpool failed to match their valuation of the hit-man.

With both sides facing each other on Sunday, it looks like Vernon has made his last appearance for the Bloomfield Road club - unless Blackpool can reach a deal with Oldham to secure the striker's services on a permanent basis.

Meanwhile, The Seasiders have signed club trainee Phil Doughty to a two-year professional contract.

The 18-year-old defender impressed Hendry in pre-season before being made reserve team skipper this term.

Despite being on the substitutes' bench for the first team so far this term, Doughty has done enough to earn a contract with the club and the teenager was delighted with his first pro contract.

"It is a dream come true, I am loving every minute of being involved with the first team, you can't help but learn from the people around you," Doughty told the club's official website.