Latics hopefuls given trial run

SETBACK . . . Deane Smalley, pictured during pre-season training, is taking time to recover from a groin operation.

MANAGER Paul Dickov will cast his eye over a number of trialists when Athletic play their first warm-up game of the campaign at Barrow tomorrow (3pm).

The Boundary Park chief will give each player 45 minutes against the Blue Square Premier League side in what will be a low-key start to the pre-season programme.

Dickov is without forward Deane Smalley and defender Sean Gregan for the trip to Holker Street.

Smalley has suffered a minor setback in his recovery from an operation to cure a groin-muscle problem, while Gregan is undergoing treatment for slight ligament damage to his Achilles.

Dale Stephens, Kieran Lee, Pawel Abbott and new signing Ritchie Jones will stay behind and train in preparation for Monday night’s home match against Championship outfit Burnley.

Dickov has ruled out the possibility of long-term injury victims Rob Purdie, Joe Jacobson and Andy Holdsworth taking part but Jon Worthington, who also returns from a spell on the sidelines, will play at some stage.

Dickov said: “Rob, Joe and Andy have done really well in training, but I think tomorrow is perhaps a bit too soon for them.

“There is a possibility that they might be involved on Monday, but I will more than likely give them another week to 10 days.”

Dickov, who may have a run-out over the 90 minutes, feels it is vital that he sees the trialists - who have been trying to impress over the last couple of weeks - in a game situation.

He said: “They can be the best players in the world in training, so it’s important that I have a look at them tomorrow.”

Former Athletic midfielder Darren Sheridan is joint manager of Barrow with David Bayliss, and the Bluebirds feature another ex-Boundary Park player Paul Jones, who was released in summer of 2002.




ATHLETIC season-ticket holders in the Leesfield Developments Rochdale Road Stand will be moved to other parts of Boundary Park for the first home game of the season against Notts County on Saturday, August 14.



The Magpies have been given the large section of the stand after suggesting they could bring 2,000 supporters to the game.

Season-ticket holders will be able to gain entry on the day to the small section of the Rochdale Road Stand, Detect-All Chaddy End and lower tier of the Vauxhall Pentagon Main Stand.

However, if they want to relocate to the upper tier of the Main Stand they will have to do so in advance as this part of the ground is ticket-only.