Latics wait for Smalley check

DEANE SMALLEY will have a late fitness test ahead of Athletic’s FA Cup clash with Cheltenham tonight.

The 20-year-old forward has been rated as doubtful since he picked up a hip injury in the first minute of Saturday’s win at Northampton.

Athletic are again short of attacking options as they are definitely without the strikeforce who were selected at weekend.

Lee Hughes pays the price for his sending off, while Doncaster have not given permission for Darren Byfield to play in the cup.

Chris O’Grady is ineligible for the first round after his loan spell at Bury, so Athletic are left with Lewis Alessandra and Matt Wolfenden as their only available out-and-out strikers.

Smalley, however, played up front when Athletic earned tonight’s replay with a 2-2 draw at Whaddon Road.

Manager John Sheridan said: “Deane got a nasty bang on the hip on Saturday and you could see he was in a bit of discomfort.

“It’s similar to a dead leg and he needed to go off, but he has a chance of coming back.”

Sheridan is also pondering different formations and could revert to a three-man central midfield, although Danny Whitaker’s absence with an ankle knock might scupper that idea.

Neal Eardley did well in midfield at the end of last season, but he has now joined the Wales squad for their full international friendly in Denmark.

Other alternatives are Dale Stephens – yet to make a senior appearance after his move from Bury – and Kieran Lee, who has played twice as a substitute.

Athletic could recall Sean Gregan in a deep-lying role and use his aerial prowess to shield the back four.

In a repeat of the original tie, Athletic are not expected to fill all seven substitute places allowed in the FA Cup.

ATHLETIC (from): Crossley, Lomax, Hazell, Stam, Jones, Liddell, Smalley, Allott, Maher, Taylor, Alessandra, Gregan, Wolfenden, Stephens, Lee, Fleming.

Cheltenham manager Martin Allen has threatened sweeping changes after the 3-0 defeat at Hereford on Saturday.

CHELTENHAM (from): Higgs, Brown, Gallinagh, Kenton, Diallo, Wright, Payne, Bird, Westlake, Murray, Connor, Owusu, Spencer, Vincent, Ridley, Caines, Montrose, Hayes.

Athletic are not opening the Detect All Chaddy End for tonight’s tie, which kicks off at 7.45.

ATHLETIC’S Mark Allott missed out on the League One player of the year honour for 2007/08 at last night’s North West Football Awards.

Allott was on the final shortlist of three but was beaten by Tranmere defender Ian Goodison.

FORMER Athletic striker Chris Porter is being linked with a £250,000 move from Motherwell to Sheffield United.