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Lee Johnson: the team needs to get back on its winning horse after defeat by Bristol

ATHLETIC go back to where it started this season against Doncaster, armed with a full complement of loan players for the SportsDirect.com Park test — but with a warning from the manager in their ear.

The defeat of Paul Dickov’s Rovers side in the opening month of the campaign was the first three-point haul, five league games in.

Since then, another 14 Sky Bet League One fixtures have seen Athletic defeated only once in sweeping into the top six.

But manager Lee Johnson is keen for his players not to believe the hype.

Even after seeing off Rochdale so comfortably in last week’s 3-0 win at Spotland, his men need to concentrate fully to get past Doncaster and land a place in Monday night’s FA Cup third-round draw.

“Rochdale was such a big day for us and we have to be careful now not to think we have cracked it,” Johnson said.

“The task now is to refocus for Saturday and another massive game. They are coming thick and fast. The good thing here is that this group really does enjoy this sort of game. The players are as hungry for it as I am.”

Defender Adam Lockwood has had some good news on his injured knee. A specialist has confirmed he won’t need an operation to repair damaged cartilage.

The 33 year old has had two sets of injections which are expected to sttle the problem.

The club captain, who hasn’t played all season, is looking at a return to action in four to six weeks