Latics’ festive treble tonic

PAWEL ABBOTT: Close to return after injury.

ATHLETIC are in line for a festive boost with the return of Pawel Abbott, Chris Taylor and Reuben Hazell.

Dave Penney revealed after the morale-boosting 2-0 home defeat of Exeter City at Boundary Park that the three men are heading back towards full fitness.

And, while none is likely to be risked for the visit to Wycombe this weekend, the next two fixtures are a realistic target for the injured trio to be welcomed back to the fold.

“I would like to think that with the two games around Christmas we might have them back,” said Penney, whose side have moved up three places to 16th in Coca-Cola League One.

“What we don’t want to do is bring them back too early and lose them again so we will make sure that when they come back, they are ready.

“They will be a little bit short of match practice as they won’t have had any time under their belts, but we need them to bolster the squad.”

Athletic have a home game against Tranmere Rovers on Boxing Day and travel to Hartlepool United two days later.

Unfortunately for Penney, his injury-hit squad suffered another blow during the Exeter game when left-back Paul Black was forced off late in the first half with a tight groin, Dean Furman entering as his replacement.

“Paul felt that he couldn’t carry on, so we had to rejig it a bit and move Alex Marrow to centre-half and switch Joe Jacobson to left-back,” added Penney.

“These things test us but luckily we got through and it was pleasing we managed to keep a clean sheet.

“I am not sure if Paul will be back this week. It is a little bit sore so we will have to wait for it to settle down and then see how he is.”

For the second time in the space of a month, Athletic will be hit with an FA fine of £2,500 after picking up five bookings on Saturday to go with the six previously racked up at Gillingham.

“There were a lot of challenges that were fair and a lot got yellow cards that were unjust,” reflected Penney.