O’Grady set for Bradford loan

Chris O’Grady: Set to go out on loan again.

ATHLETIC’S first piece of transfer activity in the January transfer window is expected to see Chris O’Grady today join Coca-Cola League Two high-flyers Bradford City on a month-long loan.

The decision to allow the 22-year-old to leave so soon after returning from a temporary move to Bury will undoubtedly prompt speculation about his future at Boundary Park.

O’Grady has failed to establish a regular starting spot since his summer signing from Rotherham United and the return of Craig Davies from a loan spell at Stockport won’t have enhanced his prospects of gaining regular first-team football.

Manager John Sheridan argues that O’Grady is better playing week in, week out elsewhere rather than getting only an occasional run out as a substitute for Athletic.

While O’Grady is set to make his debut for the Bantams in their home top-of-the-table clash against Shrewsbury, Athletic are also preparing for a journey to Yorkshire.

Sheridan’s side makes the short trip to Huddersfield for a derby involving two in-form teams - fifth-placed Athletic are unbeaten in eight league games while the Terriers have won seven of their last nine matches to climb to the fringe of the play-off spots.

Athletic are likely to have Stefan Stam back after a thigh-muscle injury sustained at Crewe on Boxing Day.

The Dutch defender was today due to resume training but is likely to find himself on the bench after Sean Gregan replaced him last Sunday against Carlisle and helped the team keep a clean sheet.

Davies is back in the squad after a two-month loan at Stockport and he, too, is likely to be a substitute as Sheridan has Lee Hughes and Darren Byfield as his first choice strike pairing.

After scoring six goals for the Hatters, the in-form Davies will be a handy asset to have as back-up.

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

Huddersfield have left-back Joe Skarz back in contention for a recall after an ankle injury, while midfield man Michael Flynn has returned from a loan spell at Darlington.

Athletic expect to sell the remaining 300 seats of their 2,600 allocation for tomorrow’s match before their ticket office closes at five o’clock.

They were today in discussions with Huddersfield about getting further tickets which would be available at a cash turnstile tomorrow. Coach travel can be booked at Boundary Park.