Athletic hit by Gregan scare

EXPERIENCED Athletic defender Sean Gregan has emerged as a pre-season injury concern.

The 36-year-old was expected to go for a precautionary scan today after complaining of a sore Achilles.

Gregan felt discomfort while out running in the week leading up to the start of pre-season training.

He reported back to Boundary Park on Monday, along with the rest of Paul Dickov’s squad, but was restricted to light work in the first session held at the Lancaster Club.

The centre-back was Athletic’s outstanding player in the 2009-10 campaign, and cleaned up at the end-of-the-season awards ceremony at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.

He also added the overall Chronicle Star Man award to his pile of accolades gained following a fine year’s work.

The former Preston and Leeds United man was handed a new contract by former manager Dave Penney after a string of superb performances in the heart of Athletic’s defence.

Gregan played in every minute of every game for the team of last season, which stretched his unbroken run of matches to an amazing 73.

Athletic are worried that Gregan had an operation on the same Achilles early in his career, and it may have weakened the area.

Meanwhile, Athletic are still trying to sort out one more warm-up game before the new League One season gets under way on Saturday, August 7.

Officials are looking to fix up a friendly match for July 31 so Dickov can complete the final preparations to his squad.