Latics ponder strike options

Heffernan, Taylor could lead the line
ATHLETIC expect to be at full strength going in to tomorrow night’s big game against Coca-Cola League One leaders Leeds United — meaning a possible new strike pairing of Paul Heffernan and fit-again Chris Taylor.

On-loan front man Heffernan linked up with manager Dave Penney for a second time after signing on a month’s loan from Doncaster Rovers on deadline day last Thursday.

With the home side looking to improve a record of having scored only two goals in the last five matches, Heffernan is a definite starter.

He could line up alongside Nick Blackman or Ryan Brooke up front, but Taylor impressed in Athletic’s 2-2 home comeback against Colchester United two weeks ago and, having returned to training after a bout of ’flu, he could come straight back into the side as Athletic bid to force a third home win of the season.

Midfielder Alex Marrow, also missing from the midweek defeat at Walsall through illness, will be pushing for a recall while Reuben Hazell, withdrawn at half-time in the 3-0 defeat in the Midlands with a calf strain, should be fit to start the game alongside captain Sean Gregan.

Leeds have sold more than 4,200 tickets for the game at Boundary Park, the second time in under a month they have travelled to the town.

After defeating Athletic in the first round of the FA Cup, Simon Grayson’s side will have an away tie at Manchester United to look forward to if they can get past non-league Kettering in the second round replay which takes place next week.

The teams drew 1-1 at Rockingham Road yesterday, Jermaine Beckford earning a draw with a 77th-minute equaliser to cancel out Ian Roper’s headed opener for Kettering.



ATHLETIC’S away league game at Swindon Town, due to be played out on Saturday, January 2, has been postponed due to the Wiltshire side’s continued participation in the FA Cup.
Having beaten Wrexham 1-0 away from home on Saturday, Swindon are now down to play away at Premier League side Fulham on the same date in the third round.

No new date has yet been arranged.