Whittaker faces late Latics test

Danny Whitaker: missed last two games

DANNY WHITAKER has a fighting chance of being fit for Athletic’s league match at Southend tomorrow.

The attacking midfielder has missed two games with an ankle injury, but he was part of a 20-man squad travelling down to Essex this afternoon.

Athletic say they won’t take any risks with his longer-term fitness, but Whitaker has scored five goals this season and become a major influence on the team.

Assistant manager Tommy Wright revealed: “Our physio Marc Czuczman is pleased with Danny’s progress and we are going to leave a decision until the last minute.”

Athletic will definitely make changes up front, where Lee Hughes is back from suspension and on-loan Darren Byfield returns after being ineligible for Tuesday’s FA Cup defeat.

And the partnership between Hughes and Byfield appears to be loaded with potential.

Wright said: “Last week’s game at Northampton was the first time they had played together, but you could see there was a combination going on.

“They have both scored goals at a higher level and, although you can never say for definite, they have the quality and experience to do the same for us.

“Look at the Northampton game – Hughesy had two goals disallowed for marginal offsides, he hit the post and he won the penalty.

“Darren had a couple of chances as well, so you’ve got to be optimistic.”

Deane Smalley’s hip problem rules him out tomorrow, but Chris O’Grady is back in contention after spending the last month on loan at Bury, for whom he made six appearances.

Neal Eardley returns from international duty with Wales.

ATHLETIC (from): Crossley, Lomax, Hazell, Stam, Jones, Gregan, Maher, Allott, Taylor, Alessandra, Hughes, Byfield, Eardley, Whitaker, O’Grady, Liddell, Wolfenden, Lee, Stephens, Fleming.

Southend could recall goalkeeper Adam Federici and full-back Dan Harding, both of whom were denied permission to play in their midweek FA Cup win against Telford.

SOUTHEND (from): Mildenhall, Federici, Francis, Clarke, Barrett, Harding, Betsy, Christophe, McCormack, Grant, Revell, Walker, Barnard, Scannell, Sankofa, Herd, Furlong, Ademeno.

ATHLETIC manager John Sheridan has received a two-game touchline ban and £500 fine for comments made to the match officials at Tranmere in September.

He has the right to appeal and will be in the dug-out at Southend tomorrow.