Kelly handed cup challenge

DEAN KELLY . . . big things expected of the striker.

NEW striker Dean Kelly will be a potent weapon this season.

That is the verdict of Athletic boss Paul Dickov, who is set to give the Irish rookie his starting debut in professional football in tonight's Carling Cup first-round tie at Scunthorpe.

With striker Warren Feeney ruled out through Northern Ireland commitments — he is in Montenegro ahead of tomorrow's international friendly — and new loan man Oumare Tounkara ruled out with a tight hamstring, the clash will present a big challenge for amateur international Kelly (24), who arrived at the club on a six-month deal from Irish amateur outfit Crumlin United.

"Dean will be a good player for us, we are confident of that," said Dickov.

"I said when we signed him that the ability and talent he showed with us pre-season, without ever training full-time, or playing at a decent level, stood out.

"We have high hopes for him but like Oumare, it will take time for him to settle in."

It is not clear who will partner Kelly up front. Dickov has overcome a heel injury and is in contention, along with Lewis Alessandra, Djeny Bembo-Leta and second-year scholar Andrew Crompton.

Crompton (18) is in the squad after impressing in pre-season training, turning out as a substitute for the first team in the final friendly against Preston.

"Crommy has had a good pre-season," Dickov added. "He scored a couple of goals (for the youth team) on Saturday, so let's get these young kids in and show them what it is all about."

Skipper Reuben Hazell misses the game in order to rest the Achilles problem that affected him during pre-season. Centre-back Rod McDonald comes into the squad and Jean-Yves Mvoto will start after arriving with Tounkara from Sunderland.

Scunthorpe boss Nigel Adkins has his own international absentee.

Goalkeeper Joe Murphy is in the Republic of Ireland squad so Sam Slocombe is set for his first start for the Iron between the posts.

Athletic (from): Brill, Lee, Black, Mvoto, Jarrett, Jones, Stephens, Furman, Alessandra, Ollerenshaw, Holdsworth, Millar, Bembo-Leta, McGrath, Kelly, Crompton, McDonald, Gregan, Taylor, Dickov.