Johnson ponders loan move

LOSING Joel Byrom to a hamstring injury could force Athletic manager Lee Johnson into another excursion into the loan market.

But the Chronicle understands reports of Manchester City’s 20-year-old midfielder Adam Drury heading to Boundary Park are premature.

Byrom hurt himself in training and he has returned to parent club Preston, only a week into a loan intended to run for the rest the season.

With Korey Smith’s knee condition having to be managed carefully, Johnson is examining his options ahead of tomorrow night’s game at Leyton Orient.

“We looked after Byrom after Crewe,” said the manager. “On Monday he did extra recovery work at the gym, on Tuesday he said he felt great. Then 30 minutes into the next session he did his hamstring. It is one of those acts of God. We did everything to get him right.”

John Paul Kissock and Genseric Kusunga are among players currently nursing injuries.

Danny Philliskirk’s 12th goal of the season gave Athletic the goal they needed to get beyond Crawley, bringing smiles to the Boundary Park faithful.

“It will be tight and we have two tough games coming up and real crunch games after that,” said Johnson.

“But Crawley was really important because it got everyone in the right frame of mind; all of a sudden, perceptions are positive again.”