Latics wait for Taylor verdict

DEANE SMALLEY: To see a specialist about a back injury.

CHRIS Taylor remains Athletic’s major injury worry for tonight’s Coca-Cola Cup, first-round tie at Carlisle United.

And with Deane Smalley still on the sidelines with a back injury, manager Dave Penney could find himself without two key wide players.

Taylor, who has a groin strain, was unable to train on Sunday or yesterday and Penney describes his chances of recovery for the Brunton Park match as 50/50.

Smalley, meanwhile, is to see a specialist over the back problem which flared up in training late last week and which has been troubling him for several weeks.

He is due to see a specialist today when Athletic ought to have a clearer idea as to the extent of the injury.

But there was some cheer on the injury front with captain and defensive cornerstone Sean Gregan declared fit after shaking off the kick to the knee sustained in Saturday’s opening league game against Stockport County.

Penney says if there are any changes they will only be minimal and will done to freshen up the team.

“We are quietly confident that any of the 18 players on duty on Saturday will do a good job for us if called upon,” explained the Athletic manager.

Penney is looking for a lengthy run in the competition because he knows how lucrative that can be for Athletic.

He said: “If you have a good cup run it generates cash - and the one we had at Doncaster, when we reached the quarter-finals of the League Cup, probably brought in £1million for the club.

“It can have a massive impact because if you draw a decent team and get on television you can make a lot of money.”

Penney is not expecting an easy ride as he believes Carlisle will be smarting after Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat against Brentford.

He reckons the onus will be on Carlisle to win the game, which must be settled on the night.

But Penney believes that if Athletic create as many chances at Carlisle as they did against Stockport - the total was 11 - they won’t go far wrong and it will only be a matter of time before they start converting them.

ATHLETIC (from): Brill, Marrow, Hazell, Gregan, Gilbert, Holdsworth, Furman, Worthington, Taylor, Parker, Abbott, Whitaker, O’Grady, Lomax, Alessandra, Lee, Stephens, Kazimierczak, Byfield.

Carlisle manager Greg Abbott is threatening to wield the axe, though captain Paul Thirlwell is ruled out due to a dead leg, with Marc Bridge-Wilkinson his likely replacement.

After conceding three goals, central defender Danny Livesey’s place is under threat and Peter Murphy may win a call- up.

Striker Joe Anyinsah, a converted winger, could be replaced by Scott Dobie to provide more firepower.