Eardley ruled out of derby

NEAL EARDLEY (left): Collected his fifth booking of the season.

NEAL EARDLEY has dealt a blow to Athletic’s preparations for Saturday’s derby against Stockport County at Boundary Park.

The 20-year-old right-back is ruled out of the fixture due to suspension after collecting a fifth booking of the campaign at Hereford.

Eardley had already been cautioned earlier against Rochdale, Leeds, Tranmere and Peterborough.

It means manager John Sheridan will have to rejig his defence and field a new full-back pairing.

New loan signing Scott Golbourne is set to make his debut at left-back following his temporary move from Reading.

Kelvin Lomax, who has played the last six games at left-back following an injury to loan signing Daniel Jones, is likely to swap flanks and take over from Eardley on the right.

Reuben Hazell and Lee Hughes will have to watch their step as they have both accumulated eight cautions and if they reach 10 they will be banned for two further games.

The capture of Golbourne will be probably be the final incoming transfer deal at Boundary Park, unless anybody leaves.

Despite continued speculation about the futures of Chris Taylor and Hughes, they both remain Athletic players.

Athletic have already confirmed they have received enquiries for Taylor but nobody has, as yet, made a bid which meets their valuation of the 22-year-old.

Wolves shelved their interest last week when they signed winger Kyel Reid on loan from West Ham for the remainder of the season.

But there is still reported interest from Premier League side Hull City and Championship clubs Sheffield United and Reading.

The obstacle to striker Hughes moving on appears to be the £400,000 opt-out clause in his contract which expires this summer when he becomes a free agent.

Athletic have offered Hughes a new two-year deal which would make him the club’s highest-paid player but, as yet, it remains unsigned.

Athletic are hoping to have one of their biggest crowds of the season on Saturday as Stockport are expecting to bring nearly 2,000 supporters to the match.