Tricky pick for Dicky

WARREN FEENEY: back to fitness

WARREN FEENEY’S return to fitness has provided his manager Paul Dickov with the biggest selection dilemma of his Athletic career so far.

The striker missed last weekend’s 3-0 defeat of Notts County after picking up a groin strain on international duty with Northern Ireland.

Now fully fit again, he has the task of displacing one of two strikers far from most Athletic fans’ lips when the season started — teenager Djeny Bembo-Leta and on-loan 20-year-old Oumare Tounkara.

Both have appeared on the scoresheet once in their two appearances this season and both have also had a hand in other goals for Dickov’s men.

It leaves Dickov with a tough choice at Charlton Athletic tomorrow (3pm kick-off). See also Page 38.

“Warren is our most experienced striker,” said the Athletic manager. “I brought him here to play him and to score goals.

“But at the same time, Oumare (Tounkara) and Djeny (Bembo-Leta) have both played in a team that has just won 3-0.

“So that is a decision I have to make — but it is a good one to have to make.”

Feeney will miss Athletic’s home game with Bristol Rovers on Saturday, September 4.

He has been selected for the Northern Ireland’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Slovenia, which takes place 24 hours before The Pirates’ visit.

With no injuries to worry about, other changes to the team are unlikely.

Athletic managed to claim a 0-0 draw at The Valley last season and a repeat show would be far from a disaster tomorrow.

Looking further ahead, Dickov hinted that more movement could take place into the club before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month.

Players would probably have to leave first, while Tom Eaves — recently signed by Bolton — could be on his way back on loan if the Premier League club feel it is appropriate to his development.

Dickov said: “I am happy with our squad but I wouldn’t be doing my job properly if I wasn’t constantly looking at other players.”