Johnson expects a Spireites thriller

LOOKING SHARP . . . Jabo Ibehre could start after impressing in training.

THE STAGE is set for an exciting battle when Athletic head to Chesterfield

Oldham manager Lee Johnson is promising his team will go for the jugular. Athletic’s boss, who is aiming to stretch the club’s unbeaten streak to 11 games, admits the promoted outfit has some potent threats in its line-up.

Imposing front man Jabo Ibehre could start in place of the departed Conor Wilkinson as Johnson’s men aim to hit the goal trail, after scoring twice in each of the last four outings.

“I like them,” Johnson said of Saturday’s opposition, who sit ahead of Athletic on goal difference in the last play-off spot in Sky Bet League One.

“They spent a good bit of money getting Sam Clucas from Mansfield in the summer and before that, Gary Roberts. Eoin Doyle is on a really hot run and I really like the midfielder, Daniel Johnson, on loan from Aston Villa.

“I actually looked at Johnson in the summer but my old man had him on loan at Yeovil a while back and put me off, which I’m a bit annoyed about.

“I think it will be a really, really good game, featuring plenty of attacking football. Both teams will be going for it.

Loan player Jabo Ibehre could get his first league start since August: “Jabo is ready. He was caught on his heels a couple of times against Walsall and looked a little rusty. But he has had a good week in training. He has looked sharp.”



Genseric Kusunga’s Angola beat Lesotho 4-0 in Group ‘C’ in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Luanda last night.

The result keeps alive the team’s hope of finishing in the top two and making it to the finals in Morocco early next year.

Kusunga played in last night’s contest and is expected to fly back to Manchester in the early evening. He is expected to be at least be on the bench at Chesterfield, vying for a starting spot with Timothee Dieng to play alongside James Wilson.