Kean and able

JAKE KEAN . . . vital saves against Swindon in midweek.

DEAN Holden has hailed new goalkeeper Jake Kean’s performances as Athletic continue to do more with less.

The loan Blackburn Rovers man made a series of vital stops in the victory over Swindon, adding to clean sheets against Notts County and Scunthorpe.

Once tipped for great things, Kean (24) starts tomorrow against Colchester as one of a number of players with plenty to prove. Athletic are looking for a third home win to remain in the play-offs mix.

“In his first game for us, you saw straight away Jake came and punched one to the halfway line and we scored,” said first-team coach Holden. “He has brought that bit of confidence. Don’t forget that a couple of years ago he was being talked about as a Manchester United target. He has come here and he has been great. He has fitted in straight away.”

While Athletic’s defence should be unchanged for tomorrow’s visit of the U’s, there is likely to be a swap up front.

Conor Wilkinson is back at Bolton having his hamstring injury assessed and Athletic are currently awaiting the results of a scan.

Carl Winchester was expected to train as normal this morning after coming off late in the Swindon game with a tight hamstring.

Danny Philliskirk, Rhys Murphy and Dominic Poleon are all pushing for a place in the starting line-up after impressive substitute showings.

And for Holden, having that sort of back-up despite a relatively small budget is testament to the fact that money doesn’t guarantee anything in this division.

“We try to get good players who will fit into a structure,” he added.

“You have to box really clever with fewer resources. You have to think differently and that is what we do. We scout players very, very well.

“It is about personalities and how they fit in — you may be a great player on a Saturday but a real pain during the week, causing all sorts of problems in the dressing room.”