Cameron facing waiting game

ATHLETIC new boy Cameron Dummigan is currently away on international duty with Northern Ireland under-21s.

CAMERON Dummigan may have to bide his time before staking a claim to a starting spot for Athletic.

The new signing from Burnley (20) arrived on a permanent two-year deal last week and his manager Stephen Robinson sees him as providing competition for the right-back slot rather than filling in higher up the pitch.

That puts Dummigan, who is in action for Northern Ireland's under-21s in Macedonia tonight, up against Josh Law for the right to be named in the starting XI against Chesterfield at SportsDirect.com Park on Saturday.

Given the level of scorer Law's performance in the Shrewsbury defeat, Robinson indicated that Dummigan won't be handed any favours in his battle to get into the side.

"Cameron is not in with us until Friday as he plays in Macedonia with Northern Ireland," Robinson said.

"That's what happens when you have good players, they get picked at international level.

"Josh Law was tremendous against Shrewsbury so Cameron has a fight on his hands."

After the heavy workload of an opening four weeks crammed with nine matches, Athletic's players were handed two days off before returning to the training pitch this morning following on from the 3-2 home loss to Shrewsbury.

"We will work 10 times harder than we have done, if that's physically possible," Robinson said.

"We can't change anything that has gone, but we can improve on what we have done so far.

"The boys have had nine games in a month and the majority have come in with only half a pre-season behind them.

"We have given them two days off and we firmly believe that we are on the right track.

"If people clap you off after you have been beaten and conceded three goals, then it shows people can see that.

"But we are well aware that we have to pick up results."

Darius Osei impressed again as a substitute against the Shrews and the former Stalybridge starlet's work ethic and that of ex-Kidderminster man Ousmane Fane were singled out for praise.

"The hunger and desire these boys bring in from non-league is a credit to the people they have worked with and they have such a hunger to become footballers," said Robinson, who will be without Fane because of suspension.

"Sometimes it's better than those who come down from bigger clubs who have been pampered.

"They are the type of boys I want at the club. The two of them have been absolutely terrific for me and they will only get better."