Dickov upset at call-off decision

ATHLETIC manager Paul Dickov was less than pleased to have the home game against Swindon Town called off at the weekend.

The fixture was postponed on Friday as a result of remaining frost and water on the Boundary Park playing surface — the only match in npower League One to fall victim to the elements.

Athletic officials said the early postponement could have saved the club a possible loss of £10,000, but it left Dickov’s men without a game for a second weekend running.

“I was disappointed that Saturday’s game was postponed when I thought it should have been on,” said Dickov, who took his full squad to manager-less Blackburn Rovers for a much-needed friendly game today in which all of the first-team squad got a run-out.

“It was great for the players to go to a Premier League club and to play against good players at a top training ground.

“We have been training hard, but have hardly played on grass for the last couple of weeks so it was nice to have a proper game.”

After yesterday, it was only the second time Dickov’s men had managed to train on grass since the recent cold spell forced the players inside.

The behind-closed-doors clash took place at Brockhall, training ground of the Premier League outfit, who have been thrown into turmoil by the surprise sacking of manager Sam Allardyce. See Page 34.

Argentina legend Diego Maradona has sensationally been linked with the now-vacant position at the Lancashire club, which is owned by the Rao family from India.

The only member of Dickov’s squad who was not getting a run-out today was Ritchie Jones.

The midfielder has been suffering from hamstring and groin problems, but is close to regaining full fitness.

Athletic’s next fixture in npower League One is an away test at MK Dons on Saturday.