Brooke stakes a Latics claim

ATHLETIC striker Ryan Brooke could get his chance to shine when Dave Penney takes his side south to face Gillingham this weekend.

The Crewe-born hitman impressed in his 10-minute cameo role towards the end of the Leeds United FA Cup tie at the weekend, after coming off the bench to replace Dean Furman as Dave Penney’s men searched for an equaliser.

Though Athletic are in the loan market for a striker prior to the visit to Priestfield on Saturday, should those efforts not bear fruit then Brooke’s performance may have been enough to move him ahead of on-loan Nick Blackman in the pecking order, with emergency frontman Deane Smalley likely to switch to operate in his more natural wide role.

Athletic have no fresh injury problems to report following the 2-0 Leeds defeat as they bid to start climbing back up Coca-Cola League One.

A win against Gillingham could lift Penney’s side — currently 13th, joined on 20 points by Southend, Hartlepool and Walsall — as high as eighth in the table.

Pawel Abbott is expected to return from Germany later this week for what could be a six-week recuperation period, following complications in his hernia operation.

THE FA Youth Cup first round tie between Athletic and Stalybridge Celtic was postponed last night due to thick fog enveloping Boundary Park.

The game has been rearranged to take place tomorrow night with a 7.30pm kick-off and the winners will be at home to Rochdale in the second round.

TICKETS are still available for the Pinch me Season: Question of Latics event, featuring six former Athletic legends, at the Playhouse 2 in Shaw on Thursday night.

Details from: richard.attwood@marshalls.co.uk or call 0759 0696973.