Ex-factor just a blip, insists Lee

FIRED UP . . . Kieren Lee is relishing the challenge of tomorrow’s derby match at Spotland.

THE EXETER draw was a difficult experience for injured Athletic full-back Kieran Lee.

One of the best performers among Paul Dickov's squad this term, the former Manchester United trainee was left with a watching brief as a result of a gluteal strain which left him unable to take part in the 3-3 midweek spectacular at Boundary Park.

Lee was helpless to do anything about Athletic surrendering their three-goal lead in the final 13 minutes.

But the 22-year-old is set for a return in the rearranged derby clash at Rochdale tomorrow (3pm) and is likely to take the place of highly-promising 17-year-old Carl Winchester at right-back.

"I am trying to get back as soon as possible and, hopefully, I will be in tomorrow," said Lee, an ever-present in npower League One until missing last week's match at Dagenham.

"I was in the stand watching on Tuesday night and it is a difficult thing to do — you just want to be out there to help the team.

"We had a lot of chances and could have been a lot further ahead.

"I really don't know what you can say about it. That is football and it happens."

Lee had calming words for rookie Winchester, who gave away a penalty against Exeter with the score at 3-2 in Athletic's favour.

The spot-kick was missed, only for the ball to find the net following the resulting corner-kick.

"I have seen Carl a few times and he is a good player," Lee said.

"He tired towards the end of the game, but that is normal as he isn't used to playing first-team football."

Lee will be up against his former Athletic team-mate Chris O'Grady tomorrow — "he won't score, I promise you that" — and he believes that passion combined with common sense should see the visitors get a positive result to push the team up into the play-off places.

"You are fired up a bit more for a derby match, but the lads will control that on the pitch," Lee added.

"We will take it as a normal game and I am sure we will be fine."

Athletic will hope Lee can restore some defensive calmness to the team.

Consecutive clean sheets against Huddersfield and Dagenham aside, Athletic have conceded at least two goals in each of their last six matches.