Hughes injury scare for Latics

Lee Hughes, in goalscoring action last season.

STRIKER Lee Hughes has given Athletic an injury scare ahead of the new League One season.

Hughes, who has been edging back to fitness after long-term groin problems, suffered a suspected broken toe in a training-ground accident.

He was forced to miss last night’s 1-1 draw with Hull, but it now appears the damage is much less serious than was originally feared. And the 32-year-old may even feature when Athletic play their next friendly tonight, away to Blue Square Premier side Barrow.

Manager John Sheridan said: “Hughesy has a chance for the Barrow game because nothing is broken and it’s only bruising.

“Sean Gregan stood on his little toe and it came up like a balloon. It’s very sore.

“It was unfortunate because Hughesy needs to get a few games under his belt.

“Luckily it’s only a minor thing and he might play at Barrow, where one or two of the other lads will definitely get a game.”

Kevin Maher, Danny Whitaker, Andy Liddell, Dale Stephens and a trialist defender are all due to be involved tonight when Sheridan takes on his brother Darren, who is Barrow’s joint-manager.

Athletic performed well against Hull (match report on page 34) and Sheridan added: “I was pleased with the way we battled against a good team.

“We started off slowly again, but most of Hull’s chances were from distance and we came back into it to create a few of our own.

“Their goal was soft from our point of view and sometimes we are our own worst enemy, but generally I’m quite pleased with our defending.

“Neal Eardley put in a great ball for our goal and it was a good finish from Lewis Alessandra.”

Winger Demar Phillips made his third appearance for Athletic, who are in talks with Stoke about signing him on loan.

Phillips spent 45 minutes in the problem position of left-back – where he has occasionally played for Jamaica – and Sheridan felt he acquitted himself well.


ENGLAND play Poland at Boundary Park tonight in the semi-finals of the Learning Disability European Championships (7.45 kick-off). Admission is free.