Latics keen to extend unbeaten run

JONATHAN Forte will be pushing for a starting place if declared fit.

ATHLETIC head to Notts County tomorrow confident of extending their unbeaten run to six matches.

And manager Lee Johnson might have the chance to call on five-goal top scorer Jonathan Forte again to help make that happen.

Athletic’s boss wants to banish memories of an awful 3-2 loss to County last season - which came after a run of three wins from four fixtures.

That could mean a tight contest against a club who came close to dropping into League Two last term before a superb revival under manager Shaun Derry.

“They’ve done quite well and had solid results,” said Johnson. “Both teams will look to turn those solid results into an extremely good start — and this game could determine that.

“It will be a bit of a cup final at the end of a long, hard but enjoyable week.”

The main selection issue for Johnson concerns the left-wing berth, from which James Dayton scored a brilliant goal at Swindon.

Forte, whose thigh injury has kept him out of the last two fixtures, could still take his place despite that strike, with Dayton carrying a sore ankle.

“We may not go with either of them, depending on the shape we play,” added Johnson. “I always pick my team as if my little girl’s life depends on winning the game - and that’s how I go into it again.”

Johnson has again scoffed at rumours the club is close to signing Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.

“We put in an offer for a player we liked that was accepted,” he added. “He had a bit of an injury, so it was dragged out. Then other clubs became interested when they found out.

“If we don’t pass under the radar then we can miss out at times, though I am not saying that has happened. Every week new names are thrown at you and others go into the bin.”