Decision time on Nardiello

Dale Stephens: Could be back after injury to face Brighton.

DAVE PENNEY may let striker Daniel Nardiello go back to Blackpool in order to free up a loan spot.

The Athletic boss admitted that he has no idea when the 27-year-old forward – whose loan deal with Athletic runs until the end of the season – will be fit to play again.

Nardiello suffered a hamstring injury in only his second appearance for the club against Leyton Orient and was carried off the pitch on a stretcher.

He is now receiving treatment at Blackpool and Penney is awaiting further news from the Championship club on his condition.

Athletic currently have five loan players after the recent addition of Lewis Guy, the maximum allowed in any matchday squad.

“There is a big question mark what we do with Danny Nardiello,” Penney said. “Is he going to be fit? When is he going to be fit? Or do we use that loan for another position or another player?”

Penney watched Saturday’s opponents Brighton take a 0-0 draw away with them at Colchester and appreciates his side are in for a tough test at Boundary Park tomorrow.

But Penney believes that his side are well equipped to battle towards a points total that will secure Coca-Cola League One status.

“It is going to be a battle between now and the end of the season to make sure we get the points to stay in this division – that is all we can do, really.”

Penney also said that Keigan Parker’s loan move to Bury effectively signals the end of his Athletic career.

“It balances the books a little bit,” Penney added. “Keigan wasn’t playing and Lewis (Guy) has now taken his place.

“Keigan needs to play. He is out of contract in the summer and needs to be playing to put himself in the shop window.”

Joe Colbeck is fit and pushing for a place on the substitutes’ bench tomorrow, while Dale Stephens will have a fitness test on his groin and hip injuries.

Athletic (from): Flahavan, Lee, Hazell, Gregan, Black, Smalley, Furman, Marrow, Worthington, Whitaker, Stephens, Colbeck, Taylor, Abbott, Eaves, Guy, Brill, Aljofree, Jacobson, Millar.

Brighton boss Gus Poyet is without Kazenga Lua-Lua, who limped out of the Seagulls’ 3-0 midweek over Brentford with a strained hamstring.

Striker Chris Holroyd has a chance of making the squad having also exited that game, while Nicky Forster and Seb Carole are pushing for recalls.

Albion (probable): Brezovan; Calderon, Elphick, El-Abd, Painter; Bennett, Dicker, Navarro, Crofts, Carole; Murray. Subs: Walker, Virgo, Forster, Hoyte, Hart, McNulty, Holroyd.