Lomax grabs second chance

THAT’S MINE: Kelvin Lomax shows the kind of commitment which has made him a hit this season after he was restored the side by John Sheridan.

KELVIN LOMAX has come a long way since he was told he didn’t have a future at Boundary Park.

The defender was surplus to requirements two and half years ago, but a change of manager has coincided with a change in fortune.

Such is the progress made by Lomax, he is keeping full Wales international Neal Eardley out of Athletic’s first team.

The 22-year-old has made the right-back spot his own personal possession in recent weeks.

Lomax, who can play in either full-back position, has earned praise from John Sheridan at the way he has nailed down a starting berth.

The Athletic manager explained: “Kelvin is a very intelligent footballer, but is another one who needs to have more belief in himself, something which I think is now gradually coming.

“We know he has to work on the defensive side of his game, but he is doing that well at the moment.

“He is a good passer of the ball and he also has a good touch. He is keeping a very good player in Neal Eardley out of the side.

“He deserves his place in the team because he is playing well — and hopefully he will continue to do so.”

Sheridan believes Lomax has benefited from having a lengthy run in the side, something he has rarely achieved since making his first-team debut at Notts County on the last day of the 2003/04 season.

He continued: “I have to admit, I have unfairly left him out of the side on occasions.

“But he is not the type of lad who will come knocking at my door, asking why he is not playing, which is something I would like him to do.”

Lomax, a graduate of Athletic’s school of excellence, has been at Boundary Park since the age of eight.

But since becoming a professional, he has experienced a roller-coaster ride of emotions.

He was handed a free transfer by previous manager Ronnie Moore in 2006.

Weeks later he was back at Boundary Park after Sheridan had assumed the managerial hot-seat.

Sheridan had remembered the potential Lomax had shown from his days as Athletic’s youth-team coach.

Even when Lomax returned to the club, he faced an uncertain future as he was loaned out to Coca-Cola League Two outfit Rochdale for two months.

However, the defender soon made an impression on his comeback and went on to feature in 23 first-team games, his highest number in one campaign for Athletic.

Lomax clocked up his 19th appearance against Brighton on Saturday and he seems set to match last season’s total by the end of the year.