All-clear for Golbourne

Daniel Jones (R) of Oldham is challenged by Alex Revell during the Coca Cola League One game between Southend United and Oldham Athletic at Roots Hall, Southend on Sat Nov 22, 2008

ATHLETIC’S on-loan left-back Scott Golbourne has been given an injury all-clear after limping out of Tuesday’s home league defeat by Bristol Rovers.

It had been feared the 20-year-old, who has been borrowed from Championship club Reading, had broken a metatarsal bone in his foot.

But an X-ray revealed no break and Golbourne could be available for Saturday’s trip to Millwall.

On-loan Chelsea player Fabio Ferreira, a Portuguese under-19 international, made a bright debut in yesterday’s 2-1 reserve-team defeat at Crewe.

Teenage full-back Paul Black played his first game for Athletic since damaging ankle ligaments four months ago and senior players Kieran Lee and Kelvin Lomax also played.

But on-loan Daniel Jones was not considered ready for a game. Jones has not played since mid-December when the Wolves man damaged ankle ligaments at Peterborough.

Ryan Brooke gave Athletic a first-half lead at Gresty Road where Crewe hit back with second-half goals from Scott McManus and Chris Clements to snatch victory.

Athletic would have suffered a heavier defeat but for the heroics of young goalkeeper Josh Bell who made a series of great saves.