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Worthington in surprise return
Reporter: MATTHEW CHAMBERS
Date online: 16 February 2010
JON WORTHINGTON could be back in Athletic’s first team in as little as two weeks’ time.
The combative central midfielder made an unexpected return to action in yesterday’s behind-closed-doors friendly with Manchester United at Carrington.
The 26-year-old, out of action since leaving the field in agony in the home game against Southampton on October 17 of last year, has now recovered from an operation to repair damaged ankle ligaments and was set to begin full training with the rest of the squad this week.
But Worthington’s progress has been swift enough for the midfielder to be given the green light by medical staff to play in the first half-hour of yesterday’s friendly.
He will now be pencilled in to feature a couple of times in Lee Duxbury’s reserves side before once again being considered by first-team boss Dave Penney.
Athletic’s manager also witnessed Kelvin Lomax make a comeback and the full-back played for 45 minutes, as did striker Lewis Alessandra.
Kieran Lee returned following trouble with a hip muscle and Chris Rowney, who came on to replace Worthington, played again after recovering from an ankle ligament problem.
Others playing half a game were Paul Black, Danny Whitaker, Keigan Parker, Rene Steer, Ryan Brooke and Tom Eaves, with Alex Marrow, Joe Colbeck and triallist winger Simon Whaley playing in the full match.
Overall, it is clear that the injuries picture is now far rosier for Penney than it has been for months. The only players out long-term at present are full-back Andy Holdsworth, who is involved in rehabilitation sessions down at Lilleshall this week, and utility man Rob Purdie, who recently had further surgery in a bid to cure a long-standing hip problem. Neither player is expected to be fit again this season.
NORWICH City fans have been allocated the large section of the Leesfield Development stand for their team’s visit to Boundary Park on Saturday, February 27.
Any Athletic season ticket holders needing to relocate can now visit the ticket office to do so.
Comments
Finally getting back to full strenght!! I said at the start of the season mid-table by May would be good finish after 8 debutants in August. Some 'fans' need to remember this!!!
Great win on Sat, very much improved performance all round. Stephens starting to look a great player for us.
As for you boo-boys, you should be ashamed! The final whistle is the time for that, IF it is necessary. Furman wasn't doing much, Whits played well and we won. Idiots.
Do you know what 'support' means??!
I see Latics have stooped to a new low regarding the new stadium bid, they are now trying to use the plans as part of getting the world cup in England in 2018, Latics ground would be used as a training camp for other teams. See the wenbsite. I am a Latics fan and would love a new stadium but not in Failsworth m35, i would much prefer the new stadium built next door to our dilapidated ground then BP demolished, surely there would still be enough land for some homes to cover costs.
bet penney is not happy all his key players coming back from injury. what will be his excuse then eh.
I, like may others have heaped criticism on Athletic over the past three/four months with much of it right to the point. There are signs of improvement but we cannot get carried away with two, one goal victories. We still need a player of the Fabian Brandy standard perhaps the 'one loan spot' still left will be used to acquire him? No response yet from the owners on the latest 'bombshell', perhaps they have something up their sleeves? Are they going to capitulate to these sports haters???
Many years ago, i.e. the late sixties, Ken Bates had a massive influence on Athletic's fortunes' unfortunately, he spit his dummy out and left for larger horizons. I hope his namesake, Warren Bates is much sooner forgotten. Perhaps he could explain his desire to see these stadium plans fail in Failsworth, perhaps he sees Failsworth as a holiday location for the idle rich, at the moment it is nothing but the A62 passing through!!!!!!!
dramasingapore - if we had better support, and I know this season performances have not encouraged the stay aways to come back, then perhaps you may have a point - but Norwich will bring up to 2000 and we cannot afford to turn away some much needed cash. Any loyal fan would appreciate this and not mind moving for a few games each year...Can you think of anything else to moan about???
Typical negativity from funkster37!
@ chaddyender...give the old 'Manchester' chestnut a rest! How on Earth could they build a stadium next to BP, then demolish the existing one whilst still playing football there?
We would have to play elsewhere while work was completed.
Spike are you really that stupid, there is enough land at the side of BP to build the new stadium, and when it is built we play there and demolish the old ground, can't believe your stupid comment???????
timoafc id say it was a narrow win against very poor oposistion a great win would be against 1 of the next 3 games.
and spike although i believe your a big latics fan that travels away how can you seriously believe we have improved since shez.
thats why im negative believe me its the first latics manager i have been negative with and results justify that.
im not gonna keep the faith i have a life outside football as well but believe me the money i have spent this last 40yrs allows me my say
I no fans don't like moving but we wudn't have 2,000 Latics fans in the RRE for the Norwich game. So it's right giving it to Norwich fans as then at least the club will make some extra revenue. With a 1,000 stay away fans we can't say NO really. March will be our month to say where the club is going.
dramasingapore - THis has been happening for two years or so now against the bigger teams, so the fans knew at the start of the season they would be me moved against the bigger teams. Plenty of seats in the other two stands to choose from where they won't be moved.
Also its money we can't refuse from bigger clubs fans who will come in the thousands!
London Boy - it was not a moan but rather a factual comment.I live overseas but do keep in touch with friends who,despite all that has gone on, still go to most games. They are concerned that the 'moves' are made to suit the club and not the fans. If the ground was 'up to scratch' then there would be no need to ask supporters to re-locate for any matches. So, London Boy, there's no moan just a simple statement of fact.
Have Your Say
Always good to see the home fans catered for (NOT!) Why do the regulars have to move just to accommodate the away support?
Same old story?
By dramasingapore @ 16/02/2010 12:23:32