We need to push each other, says Kelly

EYE ON THE BALL . . . Athletic skipper Liam Kelly has been out to impress David Dunn in training this week.

AFTER a month out with a knee injury, Athletic skipper Liam Kelly is back in contention for a place in the team for tomorrow’s crunch home Sky Bet League One fixture against Wigan.

The 25-year-old former Kilmarnock and Bristol City midfielder is not guaranteed a place in the starting XI - but that’s just the way he likes it.

With manager David Dunn drafting in Jay Fulton on loan from Swansea City last Friday, Kelly will be vying for a central berth alongside him, Mike Jones, Carl Winchester and even the boss himself.

But that situation doesn’t appear to overly concern determined Kelly: “The midfield is a very strong area for us right now,” he said .“It’s going to be hard for people to keep their place in the side, but that’s good. The players need to push one another along.”

The club skipper added: “Nobody likes being rested, but if someone has maybe played a lot of games, they’re tired and performances has dipped a little, then there is that chance to freshen things up..

“We are due a run of good results, but we can’t just carry on and expect that to happen.”

A bumper crowd is expected in Oldham tomorrow for the first clash against the 2013 FA Cup winners since 2003, and that anticipation has clearly been getting through to the players.

Kelly added: “Hopefully, there will be a big crowd there tomorrow. We like derby games. The big atmosphere is exciting for the fans and the players too.

“We need to put in a good performance and all the players realise that. In recent weeks it hasn’t been good enough, but with the new manager and players coming in that expectation level has been raised.”