Big-match build-up hit by cold snap
Reporter: Latics latest by TONY BUGBY
Date published: 04 February 2009
HIGH HOPES: Sean Gregan should be fit for Saturday’s trip to the Walkers Stadium.
Icy blast has Latics playing catch-up
ATHLETIC’S preparations for Saturday’s trip to Coca-Cola League One leaders Leicester City — one of the club’s biggest games of the season — have been badly disrupted by the wintry weather.
Many of Athletic’s Yorkshire-based players have failed to make it to Boundary Park over the last couple of days, forcing training to be postponed.
Only those living locally have managed to get to the ground, where they have worked out in the gym.
Manager John Sheridan was today hoping to reassemble his squad to start the build up for the visit to the Walkers Stadium.
But with their Chapel Road and Little Wembley training pitches still snowbound, Athletic trained indoors at the Milnrow’s Soccer Village facility.
Assistant manager Tommy Wright, who was at Walsall last night to watch Leicester City’s 4-1 win, said: “It has not been ideal, though we are not the only ones to be affected. Some of the big clubs have been hit as well.
“We are using an indoor facility today and hopefully we will be able to get back outdoors later in the week.”
Sean Gregan, who received a painful blow to his hip against Swindon, is expected be fit for Saturday’s televised match.
Meanwhile, Wright is delighted that Wolves player Daniel Jones will be rejoining Athletic on loan for the remainder of the season.
Jones is at Molineux recovering from an ankle ligament injury, but should be available for Athletic’s trip to Yeovil on February 21.
Wright said: “As we saw in his first spell here, Daniel is a very good player.
“He is a fine, attacking left-back and hopefully when this injury problem is behind him, he will be available for the rest of the season.”
Wright was relieved that Athletic managed to hold on to Lee Hughes and Chris Taylor, who had been linked to moves away from Boundary Park in the January transfer window.
“We appreciate money is tight at the club,” said Wright. “But we have managed to sign Daniel on loan and the most pleasing aspect is that we didn’t lose any of our key players.”
Athletic chief executive Alan Hardy is trying to re-arrange the Bristol Rovers game, which was postponed last night because of snow.
However, with the West Country outfit already facing a seven-game programme in February, an early date looks unlilkely.
