Westlake given Latics all-clear

IAN WESTLAKE (right): Fit to resume for Athletic.

IAN WESTLAKE, Athletic’s on-loan midfield player, has been given the all-clear after injury and will return to the squad for Saturday’s Coca-Cola League One match at Brighton.

The 25-year-old had a 10-day enforced break after being diagnosed with concussion after receiving a blow to the head in the home game against Peterborough.

Westlake has made a speedy recovery and was frustrated to have to sit out Monday’s home draw against Crewe.

He will return to full training tomorrow, having been doing workouts on his own since the weekend.

The return of Westlake and Daniel Jones, who was ruled out of Monday’s match due to a one-match ban, will provide Athletic manager Joe Royle with extra options on the left.

And that is likely to result in Chris Taylor being moved back from the left wing to a central-striking spot at Brighton.

Royle sees Taylor’s best position as an out-and-out front man and has employed him there on a couple of occasions.

The Athletic manager will have one of his strongest squads available for sometime for the seaside trip as Westlake, Steven Kabba, Kelvin Lomax, Deane Smalley, Matty Wolfenden, Fabio Ferreira and Mark Crossley have all returned to action in the last week.

Athletic fans intending to travel to Brighton are reminded that Saturday’s game is all ticket with none on sale on the day.

Athletic have been allocated 880 seats priced £20 for adults, £14 for over-60s, £16 for those aged 16/21, £13 under-16s and £1 for under-10s if accompanied by a full paying adult.

Coach travel leaves Boundary Park at 8am and costs £25.


TRUST Oldham is holding a fans forum tomorrow in the sponsors suite at Boundary Park (7pm).

It is a question-and-answer session with board members from Trust Oldham. Though it is a members-only night, membership can be taken out on the evening at £5 per head or £15 for a family.