Penney’s promise

RECALL: Reuben Hazell is expected to play alongside Sean Grgan in the heart of Athletic’s defence tomorrow.

ATHLETIC boss Dave Penney is urging that the focus be placed on vital games to come.

Following on from the disappointing home draw with Tranmere in midweek, Penney is promising a better show at Boundary Park for the visit of play-off chasing Millwall.

It is the second game in a run of three on home soil — Brentford follow a week tomorrow — and with Athletic still perched uncomfortably in Coca-Cola League One’s relegation zone, the manager is as aware as everyone else of the need to gain victories quickly.

“We need points, it is as simple as that,” said Penney.

“We wanted to get as many points as we could in the three home games and we certainly wanted to pick up three points against Tranmere. But that has gone and we can’t affect that now.

“We just want to make sure we get bright and sharp and ready to play tomorrow.

“It will be a tough game and we know that. Millwall is always a tough one, but we would rather play these games.

“The tempo will be raised, whereas there was no tempo to the game against Tranmere.

“We will certainly be better tomorrow and we will have to be to match what they do.”

Penney won’t be able to call on injury victim Krisztian Timar. The big centre-back, on loan from Plymouth, has cut short his spell at the club after picking up a hamstring injury.

Reuben Hazell is likely to move back alongside Sean Gregan in the heart of Athletic’s defence with either Jim Goodwin or Alex Marrow taking on the right-back duties.

The loss of Timar increases the scope to do business in the transfer window and Penney indicated he is keen to bring players in as well as moving some on.

Asked whether he felt under pressure, he said: “I put myself under pressure in respect of I want to win games and be successful.

“So I am as disappointed, if not more so, as anybody else when we don’t get results.

“The answer is to work harder on the training pitch and in general and if you do that, generally things come round.”

One player back in contention for Athletic tomorrow is Joe Colbeck. The winger was left out of the squad for the Tranmere match with a tight hamstring, but should be fit to put himself forward for a wide berth in midfield.

Millwall boss Kenny Jackett is searching for a new striker to fill in for Gary Alexander (foot), who has been ruled out for at least three months.

Huddersfield Town’s Theo Robinson and Nottingham Forest’s Joe Garner have both been linked with a move to the club while on-loan Liam Trotter, who scored on his Lions debut last week, will be looking for a start.

Athletic (probable): Brill; Goodwin, Hazell, Gregan, Jacobson; Colbeck, Stephens, Marrow, Taylor; Abbott, Parker. Subs: Ollerenshaw, Black, Furman, Whitaker, Smalley, Lee, Brooke.