Selection poser as trio return

LUKE WOODLAND . . . the young midfielder was one of Athletic’s leading lights in the defeat of Rochdale on Tuesday night.

ATHLETIC welcomed back captain Liam Kelly, James Wilson and Joseph Mills at training this morning — but all three may not make the starting line-up at Bradford on Saturday.

Dean Holden’s side heads to Valley Parade knowing a third successive win could ignite Athletic’s play-off hopes once again.

Conor Wilkinson - with the Republic of Ireland under-21s for the Andorra game at Waterford - is also in the reckoning when he arrives back tomorrow.

Given the strength of the display against Rochdale, Holden faces a selection poser. Mills and James Wilson are challenging for spots within a defensive unit that has kept clean sheets, while loan player Luke Woodland will fancy his chances, even keeping out a player as influential as Kelly, who hasn’t played since the Yeovil game.

And while the back line and forward Rhys Turner have attracted praise, Holden’s assistant Tony Philliskirk reckons the determination and tactical excellence of midfield men Woodland, Mike Jones, Danny Philliskirk and Carl Winchester in the 3-0 derby win were major factors.

“We pressed Rochdale really well and were in their faces,” Philliskirk said. “Our midfield was outstanding, technically. They did such a good job for the team.

“The front two get the credit, but the way we harried Rochdale then sprung forward from midfield was terrific.”

Athletic have yet to win three straight Sky Bet League One games this season but if they manage it on Saturday it would add some weight to Holden’s claims for the managerial job long-term.

In a radio interview, club chairman Simon Corney admitted that while interviews over the position continue to take place, Holden has the chance to stake his claim

“Dean is a club man and very enthusiastic,” Corney said. “He knows we are interviewing and talking to managers. I’d love nothing more than for Dean to give us a problem. “The true test for me will be in a couple of weeks when all the players are back and we see what he’s got.”

Corney still refuses to rule out former manager Iain Dowie, but referred to his other commitments and Athletic’s budget constraints.

“Could Iain work with the kind of budget we have here?” the chairman said. “It would be tricky for him and he has got a great gig on TV as well and has his own commitments. Would I like someone like Iain here back at the club? Absolutely, why not.”