Ritchie centre of attention

INSIDE TRACK . . . Ritchie Jones may be switched from his place on the wing.

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Jones set for midfield role as Furman sits it out
A SELECTION dilemma awaits Athletic manager Paul Dickov when it comes to naming his team to take on Dagenham and Redbridge this weekend.

Filipe Morais made a very promising starting debut for the club in the 1-0 home win over Huddersfield, but the Portuguese winger now starts a three-match first-team ban as a result of a red card for violent conduct in the reserves.

Dean Furman is also suspended for the game at Victoria Road. The central midfielder has been arguably Dickov's best performer this season and will be a big miss after picking up a fifth yellow card of the season, resulting in a one-game ban.

Those two absences necessitate a reshuffle — and that could mean a first start of the season in a central midfield role for Ritchie Jones.

The former Manchester United trainee was rested for the Huddersfield clash and came on to the field as a replacement for a tiring Morais 10 minutes from full-time.

Jason Jarrett appears to be Jones' main competitor for a starting role alongside Dale Stephens in the Athletic engine room.

But Jarrett, more usually employed as a back-up centre-half this season, had a disappointing game when placed in midfield in the FA Cup loss at Accrington Stanley and that could persuade Dickov to opt for Jones instead.

In that event, Lewis Alessandra looks the likeliest contender to come in on the right side of midfield.

The 21-year-old missed the last game with a thigh problem, but is set to be fit to take his place on the team coach which travels south tomorrow.

Alternatively, Chris Taylor could move to the right wing to leave Dickov the task of finding a new partner up front for Oumare Tounkara from the likes of Dean Kelly, Ryan Brooke and — if fit — Warren Feeney.

But given the way Taylor and Tounkara have struck up a good understanding in recent weeks — they worked particularly well in tandem against Huddersfield — it is unlikely Dickov will want to change things up front.

Feeney injured his back in training last week and spent a night in hospital.

It led to him pulling out of the Northern Ireland squad for the Morocco friendly at Windsor Park last night, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Medical checks have since shown no major damage and the 29-year-old is keen to get back into the action as soon as possible, though he may have to wait until at least Tuesday night's home game against Exeter City.