Latics rocked by new blow

Andy Holdsworth: Knee operation.

ATHLETIC are reeling from another injury blow with the news that full-back Andy Holdsworth could be out for the remainder of the season.

Signed from Huddersfield Town in the summer, Holdsworth has already endured an injury-interrupted campaign due to tendonitis behind a knee cap.

He had treatment for the condition a month ago but is still suffering pain and discomfort and a specialist has now recommended surgery.

Holdsworth will go under the knife tomorrow and it is only after the surgeon has had a close look at the problem that Athletic will discover just how long he will be out of action.

At best, Holdsworth looks like being out for two months. At worst, he could be on the sidelines for six months.

Athletic have had a succession of long-term injury troubles to contend with, most notably midfield general Jon Worthington and key striker Pawel Abbott, in whose absence the team has slumped towards the relegation zone.

Defender Joe Jacobson has only just returned to first-team action after a lengthy lay-off, while manager Dave Penney’s first signing of the summer, Rob Purdie, has still not made a senior appearance.

To compound the problems, centre-back Reuben Hazell (calf) and midfield man Chris Taylor (hamstring) both missed the 2-0 defeat at Norwich City last weekend and are also ruled out of Saturday’s must-win home game with Exeter.

It will be the January transfer window before Athletic can strengthen the squad - and that could include Boundary Park returns for loan pair Greg Fleming (goalkeeper) and Chris O’Grady (striker). Fleming is at Dunfermline until January 1 and O’Grady’s loan at Rochdale expires on January 16.


FORMER Latics youngster Danny Philliskirk - son of the club’s youth supremo Tony - was an unused substitute for Chelsea in last night’s Champions League game with Apoel Nicosia.


FANS have the chance to air their views on Athletic’s proposed move to Failsworth tonight (7pm) at a consultation meeting at Radclyffe School.