Jones blow hits Athletic’s plans

ATHLETIC’S hopes of signing Daniel Jones on loan for the remainder of the season have been dealt a massive blow.

A scan on the left ankle of the 22-year-old, who was injured playing for Athletic at Peterborough a week last Saturday, has revealed serious ligament damage.

It had initially been thought the left-sided Jones would be back in action by early January, but Athletic have been informed by Wolves that he faces a two-month lay-off which means it is highly unlikely he will return.

Jones technically remains an Athletic player until January 3, though he was summoned back by Wolves after he was injured as they wanted to manage his recovery.

Manager John Sheridan had hoped to finalise an agreement with Wolves for Jones, who was signed in early October, to stay at Boundary Park for the remainder of the season.

Sheridan is contemplating making changes for Athletic’s Boxing Day visit to Crewe Alexandra after identifying two areas of weakness in his team.

The Athletic manager accused his side of lacking leaders on the pitch when they were held at home by Leyton Orient last Saturday.

Sheridan says he has also noted that a number of his players perform better on the club’s travels rather than at Boundary Park.

The lack of leadership could well result in a recall for central defender Sean Gregan, who was on the bench against Orient after sustaining a nasty cut to the inside of his mouth which later become infected.

There are unlikely to be wholesale changes, however, as Sheridan does not believe there is any need to panic.

He said:”We are unbeaten in our last six league games, though we know we have to improve on our performances in the last two home matches.

“We are not a team which plays poorly and wins games whereas other teams, like Leicester and MK Dons, can grind out results.

“We seem to have to play well to win games.”




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



Crewe are likely to be without front man Joel Grant (hip) and left-back Danny Woodards (knee) from the side which was involved in a goalless draw at Millwall last Saturday.




ATHLETIC have 350 unsold seats for the game at Crewe and these will be available from the away supporters ticket office at Gresty Road on Boxing Day. Athletic will have a following of at least 1,300.



The Boundary Park ticket office is open between 9am and noon on Saturday and from 9am on Sunday for that day’s home game against Carlisle.