Sheridan: Let’s put record straight

Lee Hughes: faces late fitness test

REVENGE is in the air for John Sheridan as he prepares his side for a tough game at Hartlepool United tomorrow.

Athletic are riding high with a three-point lead at the top of League One, but Hartlepool completed a league double over them last season.

Sheridan is waiting on the fitness of striker Lee Hughes, who continues to be troubled by a groin injury.

Hughes is rated doubtful, but Sheridan wants Athletic to set the record straight at Victoria Park.

He said: “Hartlepool are a very lively team who played well and beat us twice last season.

“Those were two of our worst performances and I want us to go there with the right attitude — just because we are top we can’t expect things to come easily.

“I watched Hartlepool last week (in a 4-1 victory over Cheltenham) and this is a very hard game because, on their day, they are as good as anything in this division.

“We can only go downhill from being top, so it’s important to keep the focus we’ve shown so far.

“Teams will look at the league and envy us, but it’s nice to be in our position and I appreciate the fans will probably get carried away.

“That’s fine. I’m not so dull that I don’t want people to enjoy being top — even if they think I am!”

Athletic are set to be unchanged from last week’s victory against MK Dons if Hughes — with four goals in his last four starts — is declared fit.

ATHLETIC (from): Crossley, Eardley, Hazell, Gregan, Lomax, Liddell, Allott, Whitaker, Taylor, Alessandra, Hughes, O’Grady, Smalley, Maher, Byrne, Davies, Stam, Fleming.

HARTLEPOOL (from): Lee-Barrett, McCunnie, Nelson, Collins, Humphreys, Sweeney, Liddle, Jones, Monkhouse, Porter, Brown, Robson, Mackay, Barker, Foley, Rowell, Clark.

o ATHLETIC have reluctantly agreed to a date change for their league game at Stockport, which now takes place on Friday, October 3 (7.45pm).

It was scheduled for the following day, but Sale Sharks RU club own Edgeley Park and have been drawn at home in a cup game.

Athletic have 2,000 tickets, which must be bought in advance and are available to season-ticket holders only until 5pm on Monday (the ticket office is open until noon tomorrow). They then go on open sale.

Prices for uncovered seats behind the goal are £16 (adults), £11 (over-65s and students) and £5 (under-16s). Covered seats on the side are £18, £11 and £5.