Brooke stakes claim for recall

Ryan Brooke (left) in action against Sheffield Wednesday.

STRIKER Ryan Brooke could be in line for his first npower League One start of the season against high-flying Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

With Warren Feeney on international duty with Northern Ireland and Dean Kelly hampered by a groin strain, Brooke, who produced a lively performance in Athletic reserves’ 1-0 loss to Shrewsbury Town yesterday, will hope to get the nod.

The 20-year-old is pushing Chris Taylor and Oumare Tounkara for a place up front, unless boss Paul Dickov decides to dust off his boots and face the Terriers himself.

Athletic chief executive Alan Hardy said: “Ryan was absolutely flying in pre-season, but his progress was curtailed by an ankle injury in the last friendly of the summer against Preston North End.

“He hasn’t quite hit the heights since his return so it makes sense for him to get some match time with the reserves.

“Warren Feeney is unavailable and Dean Kelly is struggling, so there is a chance for Ryan and all of the strikers to stake a claim for involvement with the first team.”

Lewis Neal scored the winner for Shrewsbury with a 10th-minute penalty, after Greg Fleming had fouled Ben Van Den Broek.

Transfer-listed Joe Jacobson saw three quickfire chances all fly wide, while winger Lewis Alessandra curled a shot just past the post in a positive response from Athletic.

More chances went begging in the second half. Goalkeeper Hakan Duyan denied Kirk Millar after he had spilled Brooke’s powerful drive.

A triallist, playing on the right wing, was carried off with a nasty-looking knee injury after he collided with an advertising hoarding shortly after the restart.

Millar skied a glorious chance in injury time as Lee Duxbury’s side left Stalybridge Celtic’s Bower Fold empty-handed.

Hardy added: “I took the triallist to hospital. He had a gashed knee and they injected it as soon as we got there.

“Thankfully, they were confident that there was no tendon damage.

“It was a good performance from the reserves and a useful run-out for the players who have been on the fringes of the first team.”