Hazell prepared to dirty his hands

SKIPPER SUPREME: Reuben Hazell (right) has attracted praise from his manager Paul Dickov.

PAUL Dickov has cited his new captain Reuben Hazell as a leader among men.

The centre-back has been a rock-like presence this season, with precious few forwards getting the better of the former Aston Villa trainee.

And with previous skipper Sean Gregan set to go out on loan, possibly as early as next week, Hazell has been handed the permanent and official honour of becoming the new club captain.

Last week, the disappointment that the 31-year-old felt in missing out through injury at Brentford didn't affect his commitment to the cause — which even extended to dealing with some of the away changing area's more unpleasant duties at Griffin Park.

"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work it out," said boss Paul Dickov, of Hazell's captaincy.

"He has done well since the start of the season. Obviously with Sean being injured he has come in, taken the job and been fantastic for me.

"He has been a massive influence on the lads as the senior pro in a very young team.

"They all listen to him and respect him.

"Even at Brentford he was disappointed to have picked up his injury and it would have been easy for him to sulk.

"But he was the first one there encouraging before the game, at half-time and afterwards to the extent he was going round picking up everyone's smelly slips and socks afterwards trying to muck in.

"He is a good influence off the pitch as much as he is on it and when he hasn't been on the pitch we have missed him."

Hazell was set to start at Griffin Park but for a knee injury he suffered the day before in training.

After failing a fitness test, the player himself feared that he had suffered cartilage damage which would require surgery.

Thankfully, a scan came back negative

on that front and there is a chance he may recover in time

to take to the field against Colchester

at Boundary Park tomorrow.

"It is good news," said Dickov. "He damaged his knee on Friday, had a bad reaction to it on Saturday and we got him scanned on Monday.

"He felt better even before his scan and there is a possibility he could be fit for the weekend.

"We will assess him and if he is not fit for Colchester he will definitely be fit for Southampton next week, which is great for all of us."

As for Gregan, Dickov said he understands the 36-year-old's position in wanting to look elsewhere for first-team football.

"We have decided the best thing for Sean at the minute is to go away and play some games," said the Athletic boss.

"He missed pre-season, has had a few niggling injuries and wants to play games.

"He is a great pro and has been great for the football club."



MANCHESTER United will square off with Athletic for the second time this season, after the pair were drawn together in the first round of the Lancashire Senior Cup.

The Premier League champions are unable to find a venue for the game, meaning they surrender home advantage. The tie will be played at Stalybridge Celtic on Monday, November 29.