Dickov calls for focus

back in the fold . . . Athletic midfielder Dean Furman could return to the starting line-up after serving a one-match ban.

EXETER City at home may not usually strike anyone as the toughest fixture around — but Athletic manager Paul Dickov has warned his young charges that it could be the most difficult in some time.

Both sides hunt down a fourth successive win tonight at Boundary Park (7.45pm kick-off).

This Exeter team, managed so ably by Paul Tisdale, has plenty of firepower with which to test out an Athletic defence boasting consecutive clean sheets.

Attacking trio Ryan Harley, Jamie Cureton and Richard Logan — all of whom are expected to start tonight — have 24 goals between them already this season.

And Dickov is keen that nobody takes their eye off the ball to look forward to the game-in-hand Athletic face at neighbours Rochdale on Saturday.

“We are delighted at the minute, but we are not going to get carried away,” said Dickov.

“Me and Gerry Taggart and Lee Duxbury certainly aren’t and we have to make sure the boys don’t.

“We are doing well at the moment, but we are doing well because we are doing the basic things right.

“We are defending properly, closing down properly and when we get the ball we are keeping it. We have to keep doing that.

“Consistency when you have a young team like we have is a hard thing to achieve.

“We know we are up there. But talking about the game in hand means nothing if we don’t get a result tonight.

“We are more than aware of the threat Exeter are going to pose and no way do we think it is going to be an easy game.

“Because we have had three league wins on the bounce, it could be the hardest game we have had recently.

“Exeter went to Huddersfield and won, so that shows you what a good team they are. But we will be ready for them.”

Right-back Kieran Lee misses out again with his gluteal strain but striker Dean Kelly is back in the 20-man squad after recovering from a tight groin.

Dickov and Andrew Crompton make way for Kelly and Dean Furman, who returns from his one-match suspension to vie for a central midfield spot with Ritchie Jones.

David Noble may come back into contention for Exeter after missing the trip to Huddersfield through illness.




Boundary Park Babes



ATHLETIC’S starting line-up against Dagenham last Saturday featured only one player over the age of 24.



With 22-year-old Dean Furman possibly returning to the team tonight in place of Ritchie Jones, the average age could drop a fraction further.

Dagenham v Latics: Brill (24), Winchester (17, pictured), Hazell (31), Mvoto (22), Black (20), White (19), Jones (24), Stephens (20), Evina (19), Taylor (23), Tounkara (20). Average: 21.7