Latics target injury lift

CHRIS TAYLOR: The influential winger missed Saturday’s draw at Brentford with a pelvic problem, but could return to face Accrington Stanley tomorrow night.

ATHLETIC hope to have some of their injured players back for tomorrow night’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie against Accrington Stanley at Boundary Park.

Chris Taylor, Jon Worthington and Kelvin Lomax were ruled out of Saturday’s Coca-Cola League One fixture at Brentford.

Manager Dave Penney is keeping his fingers crossed that after rest and treatment the trio will be in contention for the visit of the League Two outfit.

Taylor had recovered from the hamstring injury which he sustained against Swindon, but missed the Bees game with a pelvic joint problem.

The 22-year-old winger has been troubled by a groin injury for some weeks and a scan has revealed the trouble relates to his pelvis.

Taylor had been the biggest doubt for Brentford after being unable to train all week.

Worthington hurt his ankle while making a block tackle against Swindon. He returned to training on Thursday, only to receive another kick on exactly the same spot.

A scan has revealed no damage only severe bruising to the joint of the combative midfield man.

Lomax, meanwhile, picked up a knock playing for the reserves against Preston North End last Wednesday.

Six of the 11 players who have made most appearances so far this season for Athletic must take to the field tomorrow night. It is a rule aimed at preventing managers making wholesale changes for the Johnstone’s Paint competition.

Striker Darren Byfield, who was released by Athletic last week, has joined League One rivals Walsall.

The 32-year-old was on a week-to-week contract at Boundary Park, but has signed a deal with the Saddlers until January with an option to stay for the remainder of the 2009/10 campaign.

Athletic have loaned teenage central defender Philip Ojapah to injury-hit Blue Square North neighbours Stalybridge Celtic.

The 19-year-old Ojapah was recently signed from Vodkat North-West Counties League side AFC Liverpool. He is a member of Athletic’s development squad.