Furman back in the frame

FALL guy Dean Furman could be back in Athletic’s midfield for the trip to MK Dons tomorrow night.

The Cape Town-born 21-year-old was omitted from the line-up for the vital 2-1 home win over Bristol Rovers, despite playing an important role at Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night.

Furman’s first-half performance in particular alongside Dale Stephens and Danny Whitaker in the centre of the field enabled Dave Penney’s side to take a stranglehold on the game, nullifying the play-off contenders for large portions of the 90 minutes at the Galpharm Stadium.

And despite the hard-fought victory at Boundary Park on Saturday, Penney hinted he may opt to once again play five in midfield for the game at stadium:mk.

“I am too long in the tooth to think you can play that formation (with five in midfield) if you want to win games at home,” said Penney, whose side now sit closer to safety in Coca-Cola League One on 46 points, thanks to second-half goals from Lewis Guy and Deane Smalley.

“I have done it many times and in hindsight you don’t do it again.

“So as well as Dean Furman played — and he did play well on Tuesday — he was the unfortunate one to come out and get us width to try to win the game.

“It worked for us. We know already what we are going to do at MK Dons and Dean will come into the equation again.”

One man who will definitely feature against Paul Ince’s men tomorrow is Guy.

Athletic have reached an agreement with the 24-year-old’s employers at Doncaster Rovers for him to remain at Boundary Park until the end of the season and the formalities are expected to be finalised today.

Rovers have a 24-hour recall clause built into the deal allowing him to return to the Keepmoat Stadium at short notice.

The former Newcastle United striker has had a big impact in the six matches he has played for Athletic so far, causing problems with his pace as well as knocking in two goals.

Meanwhile, four promising youngsters have been offered professional deals at Athletic.

Tom Eaves and Kirk Millar, both players who have tasted first-team action in the league this season, have two-year contracts on the table.

Djeny Bembo-Leta has also been offered two years, with Phillip McGrath — whose progress has been ruined by injury — handed a one-year deal.

Players not being offered contracts are Anthony White, Josh Rose, Richard Cowan, Laquan Esdaile-Biney, Nick Zaicevs, Will McCall and Rico Ramsey.