Alessandra on Latics alert

MAXIMUM MAN . . . Lewis Alessandra boasts a 100% win record in his npower League One matches this season.

Feeney injury opens door for Brighton starting spot

LEWIS Alessandra was today staking his claim for a place in Athletic’s starting line-up against Brighton on Saturday.

Along with first-team squad members Sean Gregan, Jon Worthington, Andy Holdsworth, Rod McDonald and Rob Purdie, the 21-year-old front man was part of a reserves line-up which took on Blue Square Premier outfit Barrow in a behind-closed-doors friendly.

The game took place as a result of a gap in fixtures for the reserves, with the next scheduled game not taking place until Tuesday, October 12.

Alessandra made an effective comeback off the substitutes' bench on Saturday against Bournemouth, after spending a month out of action with a calf injury.

And with a doubt hanging over the fitness of striker Warren Feeney, there is a chance manager Paul Dickov will thrust the player — who has a 100-per-cent winning record in his three league appearances for Athletic this term — into action from the start at the Withdean Stadium.

Brighton won 2-0 at Plymouth in npower League One last night to jump to second place in the table, level on points with leaders Huddersfield.

Tommy Elphick and Ashley Barnes scored the goals for Gus Poyet's men, who pushed Athletic into seventh spot.

Meanwhile, Kieran Lee has been named in the League One team of the week.

The right-back, who picked up his third Chronicle Star Man award of the season as a result of his goalscoring effort in the 2-1 win over Bournemouth, is joined by former Athletic players Alan Sheehan (Swindon) and Lee Hughes (Notts County) in the line-up.


TICKETS for next Tuesday's away game at Sheffield Wednesday are available from the Boundary Park ticket office.

The cost is £21 for adults and £12 for over-65s and under-18s. Return coach travel £15, again book at the ticket office.