Feeney ready for Posh test

WARREN FEENEY . . . valuable game time in Slovenia.

Latics frontman feels benefit of international duty

WARREN Feeney reckons his recent international departure will strengthen his Athletic cause.

The 29-year-old striker played a full 90 minutes as Northern Ireland secured a superb 1-0 win in Slovenia on Friday evening in a Euro 2012 qualifier.

It was the first away victory by Nigel Worthington’s men in seven matches and the first against non-minnows since a 2-1 friendly win in Finland more than four years ago.

It sets up a mouth-watering home group game with Italy at Windsor Park in a month’s time.

But more importantly from an Athletic viewpoint, the high-profile fixture gave the grafting Feeney more valuable game time as he continues to work his way to optimum fitness following his stop-start campaign last time around.

“We knew that it would be difficult for us over Slovenia, as they had quite a good World Cup in South Africa and would put us under pressure,” said Feeney, who was back in training yesterday morning.

“But we worked on a few things in training and on the night it all came together for us.

“Our away record had been very poor, but it came right on the night. And Windsor Park will be rocking for the Italy game now.

“I played the full game over there and that will help me a lot. The more matches I play, the better and I feel a lot sharper for it.

“As a Belfast boy I really enjoyed the win — but I am back with Oldham now and I will be focusing all my energies on that.”

Feeney is likely to start for Athletic at Peterborough on Saturday, where his strong running down the channels will prove valuable.

In keeping with the prevailing mood at the club, he isn’t getting overly excited about the current lofty position of third in npower League One.

“We are still unbeaten and if we can now put together a couple of wins that that will keep us right up there.

“There is a long way to go, though, and we are just setting out to stay on our toes and work hard for each other.”