Latics run rule over trialists

Craig Davies

ATHLETIC were casting an eye over two trialists in today’s Lancashire Senior Cup tie at Blackburn Rovers.

Manager John Sheridan was assessing the abilities of a goalkeeper and left-back, the two areas he is keen to strengthen.

Athletic, who are not in a position to reveal their identities, have been looking for goalkeeping cover as they have no experienced back-up to Greg Fleming in the injury-enforced absence of Mark Crossley.

Sheridan is also keen to capture a left-back after losing loan player Daniel Jones through injury.

Craig Davies was one of four senior Athletic players who were getting a run-out at Blackburn’s Brockhall training complex.

The 23-year-old striker has been on the bench for the last two matches which have followed his return from a three-month loan spell at Stockport.

Davies will be bidding to stake a claim for a starting spot as Dean Windass and Lee Hughes were the front pairing at home to Hartlepool on Monday.

Lewis Alessandra, another striker on the periphery, will also be out to impress manager John Sheridan.

Alessandra, who scored a brilliant hat-trick against Scunthorpe United in October, is another player whose opportunities have been limited in recent times.

Athletic were also giving work-outs to Stefan Stam and Kieran Lee. Stam is currently first reserve central defender to Sean Gregan and Reuben Hazell, while Lee was ruled out of the Hartlepool squad through illness.

Crossley, who came out of hospital on Friday following a back operation, will have a week’s rest before starting his rehabilitation. He is expected to be out until the beginning of March.

Squad: Bell, Rowney, Rose, Esdaille-Biney, Stam, Lee, Kilcourse, Alessandra, Davies, Brooke, Eaves, Bembo-Leta; McCall, Cowan, plus two trialists.


NEW signing Dean Windass will join his Athletic team-mates tomorrow on the upper level at Spindles Shopping Centre (3.30pm) where they will be signing copies of the club’s 2009 calendar.