Dean can lift us, says Sheridan

THE MISSING LINK? Dean Windass will make his Athletic debut against Hartlepool United tonight.

MANAGER John Sheridan believes Dean Windass can provide the impetus to sustain Athletic’s promotion challenge.

The 39-year-old striker, who has joined Athletic on loan until the end of the season, will make his debut in tonight’s hurriedly rearranged Coca-Cola League One match against Hartlepool United at Boundary Park.

Sheridan revealed he tried to sign the much-travelled Windass five weeks ago, and said: “Dean is a player of great experience.

“He scores goals, he will help the players around him and hopefully will improve us as a team.

“We need somebody to keep hold and take care of the ball and I am hoping he will give everybody around the place a lift.

“We are in a position where we can push on and can get out of this division, and I am hoping Dean can help us achieve that.”

The loan deal for Windass was wrapped up on Friday night after Athletic chief executive Alan Hardy held talks with the player in Bradford.

Mr Hardy then agreed a rendezvous at Hartshead Services on the M62 with the Hull City secretary, who was travelling to Liverpool for Saturday’s game at Everton, to complete formalities.

Windass had also spoken to Hartlepool and Blackpool but favoured Athletic because they were challenging for promotion and the club is only 45 minutes from his home in West Yorkshire.

There is also an option for the much-travelled Windass to remain at Boundary Park for the 2009/10 season if things work out.

The arrival of Windass has meant Darren Byfield has returned to Doncaster Rovers.

Sheridan had suggested he would try to extend Byfield’s loan for a third month until he landed Windass.

With Mark Allott serving a one-match ban, Sheridan will make one change from the side which drew at Huddersfield a week last Saturday.

Hartlepool’s 13-goal top scorer Joel Porter (Achilles) and right-back Tony Sweeney (ankle) are unlikely to feature, but striker Michael Mackay has recovered from a knock to his ribs.

Hartlepool were offered yesterday, today and tomorrow as well as next Tuesday to play the game, but Athletic favoured tonight as it does not clash with any live televised matches.

Midfielder JP Kalala, meanwhile, has completed a loan deal to League Two Grimsby Town for the remainder of the season.

As Kalala’s contract with Athletic expires this summer, the Congo international won’t play again for the Boundary Park club.