Davies still has Athletic future

CRAIG DAVIES: Due back from loan spell next month.

ATHLETIC manager John Sheridan has assured striker Craig Davies he still has a future at Boundary Park.

Davies, who is due to return from a two-month spell at Stockport County in early January, is being linked with a £300,000 transfer to Leeds United.

Stockport are also keen to keep full Wales international Davies, but manager Jim Gannon does not believe that is feasible due to a lack of funds.

Sheridan says he has no knowledge of the interest from Leeds, or anybody else: “I can imagine clubs being interested in Craig because he is a good player. And if he believes in himself, I have no doubts he can play at a higher level.

“Craig is doing well at Stockport by all accounts and I hope he comes back better for his loan spell and wanting to get into our side.

“He has a future here and I am not trying to get rid of anyone. I know what he can do as last season he scored 14 goals for us. I know he can play, but he has a lot of growing up to do and has to be aware of his responsibilities.”

Sheridan has a couple of selection conundrums to resolve before finalising his side to play Brighton tomorrow at Boundary Park in League One.

Reuben Hazell is available after missing the Walsall win due to a one-match ban, meaning Sheridan must perm two from three in the centre of defence from Hazell, Stefan Stam and Sean Gregan.

His other dilemma will be the centre of midfield where again it will be two from three involving Mark Allott, Kevin Maher and Danny Whitaker.

Maher stepped into the midfield breach when Whitaker was injured and has been on the winning side in all three starts.

Whitaker has now fully recovered from and ankle injury while Deane Smalley, who played for the reserves in midweek, returns to the squad after a hip injury.

Athletic have received some cheer as Matty Wolfenden’s ankle injury is nowhere near as bad as was initially feared and he could be back in action within a fortnight.

ATHLETIC (from): Crossley, Fleming, Lomax, Eardley, Jones, Stam, Gregan, Hazell, Liddell, Smalley, Allott, Maher, Whitaker, Taylor, Hughes, Byfield, Alessandra, O’Grady, Lee, Stephens.

Brighton have been rocked by two injury blows as goalkeeper Michel Kuipers (thigh) and left-back Matt Richards (ankle) are major doubts.




A DRAMATIC improvement in the weather in the last 24 hours means tomorrow’s game should go ahead.



A rise in the temperature overnight has seen the snow covering on the Boundary Park pitch disappear and the surface beneath is not frozen.

And with tonight’s overnight temperature forecast to be between zero and two degrees, Athletic don’t anticipate any problems.