Gregan plays waiting game

SEAN Gregan will have to wait for his first-team chance, says Athletic manager Paul Dickov.

The 36-year-old didn’t miss a single minute of the 2009-10 campaign and his excellent displays saw the former Preston and Leeds player pick up a host of player-of-the-year awards.

But an ankle problem — described as being down to the cumulative wear-and-tear brought about by 14 seasons in the professional game — stifled Gregan’s pre-season work.

And though he is approaching full fitness after run-outs in the youth and reserve sides, Gregan has yet to be thrust into first-team action despite being on the substitutes’ bench for the last two fixtures at Scunthorpe and at home to Notts County.

Jason Jarrett and Reuben Hazell have formed an effective partnership at the heart of Athletic’s defence.

Loan centre-back Jean-Yves Mvoto is also in the defensive mix and it could be that there is still more waiting for Gregan to do before he gets an opportunity.

“Reuben and Jason have made the two positions their own at the moment,” Dickov said.

“We had a clean sheet against Notts County and as much as I was a forward who liked scoring goals, the most pleasing thing apart from the result was keeping them out.

“There is competition for places and Jean and Sean are champing at the bit. They want to get in there and are working ever so hard in training.

“Sean played every minute of every game last year. I know he has had an injury, but since he came back into training his attitude has been first-class.

“He knows he has got to bide his time. Throughout the season, everybody will be involved and the lads who aren’t in at the moment need to make sure they are ready.”

On the injuries front, it is hoped that Warren Feeney could be back in contention as soon as the Charlton game this weekend after coming back from international duty with Northern Ireland with a tight groin.

Ryan Brooke may not require surgery on his damaged ankle. The striker injured ligaments in a pre-season game against Preston but surgery — which would keep him out for six months — may not be necessary, provided an injection to stabilise the problem is successful.

If all goes to plan, the 19-year-old is looking at a recovery period of half that time.

The news isn’t so good on Phil McGrath. The young winger ruptured his cruciate ligament in the reserve game against Leicester last week and also tore cartilage in his knee. He is expected to be out for between six and eight months, but Dickov has promised that the club will do everything they can to look after him while he is on the sidelines.

Goalkeeper Greg Fleming, who jarred his knee against Rhyl in pre-season, is expected to be out for eight to 10 weeks.