Latics look for Hughes boost

Lee Hughes: Hoping to be passed fit to face Leicester.

LEE HUGHES has given Athletic an injury scare as they prepare for tomorrow’s live televised match at Coca-Cola League One leaders Leicester City (5.20pm).

The 32-year-old striker was due to resume training today for the first time this week after being on the sidelines with an Achilles injury.

John Sheridan revealed that Hughes was hurt in the warm-up before last Saturday’s home game against Swindon, though he played the full 90 minutes.

The Athletic manager is optimistic 15-goal top scorer Hughes will have recovered in time for possibly the club’s biggest game of the season.

Sheridan has vowed to shake up his side for tomorrow’s first-ever visit to the Walkers Stadium, where officials are confident the game will go ahead despite heavy snowfalls this week in the Midlands.

Athletic have served up two desperately disappointing away defeats at Hereford and Scunthorpe in which they have conceded seven goals and scored none.

Sheridan said: “Since I became manager we have had a decent away record, winning at big grounds like Leeds and Nottingham Forest against the so-called better teams, but our last two games have not been like us.

“We are usually solid at the back so I have to look at why we conceded seven goals. We have to work hard to get things right defensively as we have players in the team who will score goals.”

Sheridan added that he hopes to bring in another player next week when emergency loans can recommence. He will make a new move for his original target which broke down on Monday because of a “hiccup” which ought to be resolved.

Athletic (from): Fleming, Lomax, Eardley, Golbourne, Gregan, Hazell, Stam, Liddell, Lee, Smalley, Maher, Allott, Whitaker, Taylor, Hughes, Windass, Alessandra, Bell.

It looks likely the Foxes will field the team which won 4-1 at Walsall in midweek.

Leicester (probable): Martin, Gilbert, Morrison, Hobbs, Mattock, Oakley, Cleverley, King, Dyer, Howard, Fryatt. Subs: Dickov, Hayles, Berner, Pentney, Brown.

Athletic have 3,500 tickets for tomorrow’s game and there will also be cash admission on the day.