Stephens to boost Athletic

ATHLETIC are hoping that the lack of a match this weekend will prove to be a blessing in disguise.

They had been due to face Southampton but the Saints are involved in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final against Carlisle, at Wembley.

The extra few days of preparation could help Athletic clear up a few niggling injury worries before Tuesday’s home game with Brentford.

Dale Stephens had been enjoying a fruitful spell in midfield before hip and groin injuries forced him out of the last two matches. With Dean Furman serving a two-match suspension for collecting ten bookings, Athletic are keen for Stephens to prove his fitness.

Likewise, experienced defender Jim Goodwin hopes to be available after missing eight matches due to a persistent thigh strain.

Midfielder Danny Whitaker, who took a painful blow to the foot in the 2-0 home defeat by Brighton, is expected to have fully recovered before Tuesday.

Winger Chris Taylor has been given the all-clear to face Brentford.

He has been troubled by groin/hamstring problems for much of the season and had a follow-up hospital scan this week to ascertain the extent of the problem.

The medical verdict was that the situation has not deteriorated and that Taylor should be able to continue.

One other piece of good news for Athletic is that full-back Kelvin Lomax came through his midweek reserve-team outing without mishap.

Sidelined for a month with a groin strain, Lomax played the full 90 minutes in the 3-0 win over Accrington Stanley in the quarter-finals of the Lancashire Senior Cup.