Latics hope for Furman boost

Dean Furman: Concerns over a foot injury picked up in training.

ATHLETIC hope to have Dean Furman back for Wednesday’s hastily arranged friendly against Middlesbrough at Boundary Park.

The influential midfield player was ruled out of Saturday’s friendly against Sunderland with a foot injury.

And Furman admitted he feared the worst when he was injured in training on Friday.

“My foot swelled immediately and I was worried it was something serious,” admitted Furman who was caught by the studs of an opponent.

The 21-year-old was taken to hospital for an x-ray which, fortunately, revealed no serious damage.

Athletic have completed the signings of two promising young players as former Arsenal player Rene Steer and non-league starlet Philip Ojapah have joined on 12-month contracts.

The 19-year-old Steer made his debut in Saturday’s home defeat against Sunderland when he played the opening half.

Steer, who was an unused substitute in Arsenal’s Carling Cup tie against Burnley last season, made his league debut during a three-month loan at Gillingham earlier this year.

Ojapah, a 19-year-old midfield man/central defender, has been signed from AFC Liverpool, who play in the first division of the Vodkat North West Counties League.

Manager Dave Penney admitted Steer and Ojapah have been signed more with an eye to the future.

He said: “They are both more likely to be part of our development squad rather than featuring at the present time.

“We probably wouldn’t have put Rene in had it been Sunderland’s first team, but we wanted to have a look at him and give him a taste of the first team.

“Rene has a natural left foot, can go outside opponents and showed bits we can work on.”

Central defender Will Haining could be making a quick return to Boundary Park after being told he will not be rejoining Athletic, with whom he has been training pre-season.

Haining is having trials with Championship club Blackpool who are Saturday’s visitors.


Oldham Town, beaten 3-0 on Saturday by UniBond League side Rossendale United, have a home friendly tonight against Ramsbottom United, kick off 7.30.