Gregan allays injury fears

SEAN GREGAN: Nursing an injury problem.

ATHLETIC believe they made the right decision to rest injured Sean Gregan for their Carling Cup second-round defeat at Burnley.

Central-defender Gregan, who has a thigh/hip problem, is expected to return for Saturday’s match at Colchester in Coca-Cola League One.

The fear was that had the 34-year-old appeared at Turf Moor, he would have aggravated the knock which has been worrying him for a couple of weeks.

Managing director Alan Hardy explained: “Sean took a bang early in the season and it is taking time to settle down.

“The worry was that had he played last Saturday and then again on Tuesday he would have missed Saturday’s league game at Colchester.”

And with promotion Athletic’s main goal, the priority was for Gregan to be available for the league fixture.

Gregan is Athletic’s only concern as John Sheridan has an otherwise full-strength squad to choose his side from.

The Athletic manager is expected to revert to the team which beat Cheltenham 4-0 last Saturday having made five changes for the midweek cup defeat at Burnley.

Athletic have slashed admission prices for Tuesday’s Johnstone’s Paints Trophy tie against Morecambe at Boundary Park.

Adults prices will be £10, over-65s £5 while children under-16 will gain free admission in the Rochdale Road end through a special turnstile.

Athletic reserves have a fixture against Derby County at Alfreton on Wednesday. The kick off will be 7pm and NOT 2pm as previously advertised.

Athletic, who wore their new Cabrini kit for the first time against Cheltenham, are still waiting for the first consignment for the shop at Boundary Park.

The players have also yet to take delivery of their new Cabrini- sponsored training kit.