Gregan set for Latics return

SEAN GREGAN (right) has served his suspension.

JOHN SHERIDAN insists Athletic should not be viewed as underdogs for tomorrow’s key game against Leicester at Boundary Park.

Big-spending Leicester are favourites for promotion and have the best away record in League One – but, in response, Athletic can show off the best record at home.

It is set to be an attacking contest as both sides use two wingers and have players in fine goalscoring form.

Athletic could give new signing Brett Ormerod his debut up front, while Sean Gregan and Neal Eardley are back in defence.

Sheridan said: “Maybe we are underdogs if you look at things like finance, but our home form is good and this is a game we can win.

“Leicester were in the Premiership not too long ago so everyone expects them to go up – we know we are in for a tough game, but so do Leicester.

“We did well to beat Hereford 4-0 on Sunday and now I’ve got players coming into the squad to make us that little bit stronger.

“This is a chance to judge ourselves and see where we stand, but we are up near the top of the table because we deserve it.”

Sheridan is especially pleased to have skipper Gregan available after a three-match ban.

He explained: “A captain is like a manager on the pitch and you could see we missed Sean’s influence.

“We are too quiet as a team, but he’s one player who will moan at people, shout at them and lead by example.

“He’s always talking on the pitch, and he gets a lot of respect from the other players.”

Gregan is likely to replace Richie Byrne at centre-half, while full-back Kelvin Lomax is under pressure from Eardley, who missed the Hereford game due to international commitments.

Sheridan must decide whether to stick with a front two of Lee Hughes and Craig Davies or give Ormerod, signed on loan from Preston, his debut.

Athletic, who expect goalkeeper Mark Crossley to be fit, go into tomorrow’s game in third place, one behind the visitors.

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

LEICESTER (from): Martin, Gilbert, Tunchev, Hobbs, Powell, Dyer, Oakley, King, Adams, Fryatt, Howard, Morrison, Gradel, Kishishev, Berner, Mattock, Henderson.

Tickets in the Pentagon Vauxhall main stand upper tier are sold out. Places will be available in the main stand lower tier, the Detect All Chaddy End and the small section of the Leesfield Developments Rochdale Road End.

Athletic ask all fans to occupy the seat for which they have a ticket.