Penney seeking capital repeat

CHRIS TAYLOR - no adverse reaction this weekend’s exertions.

MANAGER Dave Penney hinted Athletic will play an unchanged line-up in tonight’s Coca-Cola League One match at Millwall.

On-loan Alex Marrow has overcome a slight groin-muscle strain sustained in Saturday’s win at Leyton Orient.

And with Chris Taylor showing no ill affects of the groin problem which has been troubling him in recent weeks, Penney was able to name an unchanged 18-strong party for Athletic’s second league game in the capital in the space of four days.

“We will look at Millwall’s shape and match report from Saturday before deciding whether we go with the same starting side,” explained Penney.

The Athletic manager was delighted with the way the new system – 4-5-1 when defending and 4–3-3 while attacking – worked in Saturday’s success, explaining that Taylor and Keigan Parker are well suited to offering support from out wide to Pawel Abbott in such a formation.

Penney anticipates another tough match, but says they will go with a positive approach and one aimed at recording a victory.

He said: “Millwall, like Leyton Orient, have been going well. They reached the play-offs last season and have had a good start.

“Millwall are unbeaten in their two matches so far and I am expecting it to be as tough, if not tougher than Saturday.”

Athletic have won 3-2 on each of their last two visits to Millwall and Penney will be looking for a belated present having yesterday celebrated his 45th birthday.

Athletic striker Darren Byfield will be returning to the New Den where in 2006/07 he enjoyed the most successful season of his career, scoring 16 goals in 31 league matches.

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

Millwall have yet to concede a goal this season, having been involved in goalless league draws against Southampton and Carlisle and having beaten League Two side Bournemouth 4-0 in the Carling Cup.

The Lions have injury problems, especially in their back line where full-backs Jack Smith and Andy Frampton are having to operate as makeshift central defenders.