Hazell warned of yellow peril

REUBEN HAZELL: 'don't get booked' order.

REUBEN HAZELL is under instruction not to be booked as Athletic face a central-defensive crisis.

Back-four man Hazell has four yellow cards and one more caution would earn a one-match ban which would leave Athletic’s defensive lines even more stretched.

Athletic can ill afford to lose Hazell as they are already without injured central defenders Stefan Stam and Richie Byrne while John Thompson has been loaned to League Two side Notts County.

“Reuben understands the situation that we cannot afford to lose him should he be booked again,” explained chief executive Alan Hardy.

Stam has missed the last four matches with a groin-muscle problem, though he is well on the road to recovery.

He visited a specialist yesterday for an update on the injury and there is every likelihood he will soon be back in action.

Byrne, meanwhile, could be back in training next week having limped out of the Leicester match with a hamstring strain.

Manager John Sheridan has plenty to ponder as he prepares for Saturday’s trip to Swindon Town following the midweek defeat at Bristol Rovers.

Andy Liddell was left out of the 16 while Neal Eardley and Craig Davies were among the substitutes as Brett Ormerod was handed his first start and there was a recall for Deane Smalley.

Athletic will discover their FA Cup first-round opponents on Sunday, with the draw being shown live on ITV1 from 1pm.

Last season’s cup competition brought one of the biggest highlights of recent years when Athletic produced a major shock by winning at Everton.

The last few seasons have given them ties with several non-league teams, including Chasetown, Thurrock, Kettering and King’s Lynn.

The draw will feature League One and Two clubs, while Curzon Ashton and Droylsden are among the minnows hoping to be involved after Saturday’s fourth and final qualifying round.

Tickets for the match at Swindon will be on sale at Boundary Park until 5pm tomorrow. They are priced £20 for adults, £15 for over-60s and students and £9 for under-15s. Student tickets must be purchased in advance for the discount.