Teenager Brooke wins Latics call

Photo: Andrew Schofield

STRIKER Ryan Brooke has been called into Athletic’s senior squad. Picture by ANDREW SCHOFIELD.

ATHLETIC’S injury crisis resulted in a first senior call-up for striker Ryan Brooke for this afternoon’s Coca-Cola League One fixture at Carlisle United.

The 17-year-old was drafted into the squad after Matty Wolfenden pulled out due to further problems with his troublesome thigh muscle.

Brooke, who is from Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, has had a week to remember as a few days ago he was offered his first professional contract after scoring 20 goals in 28 appearances for the youth and reserve teams.

Brooke was assured of a place on the bench with the fit-again Steven Kabba and Lewis Alessandra set to be the strike pairing.

Kabba, who is on loan from Watford, has recovered from the hamstring injury which has kept him out of the last two matches.

Goalkeeper Shane Supple (knee) and left-back Daniel Jones (toe) have recovered from injuries sustained in training this week.

But on-loan midfield player Fabio Ferreira was a late absentee after hurting a groin in training yesterday.

Ferreira, who has been borrowed from Chelsea, joined a casualty list including Kelvin Lomax, Deane Smalley, Ian Westlake and Wolfenden.

Westlake will not be involved in the two Easter games after being diagnosed as having concussion. He received a blow to the head against Peterborough and has complained of dizziness this week.

Manager Joe Royle, still looking for his first win since returning to Boundary Park four matches ago, dismissed any notion that Athletic are simply playing out the campaign.

He said: “The target is to finish as high as we can and I don’t like to see us slipping down towards the middle of the table.

“Let’s finish with a bang. There is always something to play for - players who are out of contract, those who want improved contracts, young players coming in to fight for the chance and clubs are always watching players.

“There are no dead games in professional football as far as I am concerned.”

ATHLETIC (from): Supple, Fleming, Eardley, Stam, Hazell, Gregan, Jones, Black, Whitaker, Allott, Maher, Lee, Taylor, Alessandra, Kabba, Brooke.