Banned Hazell to miss Carlisle clash

ATHLETIC manager Paul Dickov will have to make do without the services of his captain Reuben Hazell for the game against Carlisle tomorrow.

The centre-back picked up his 10th booking of the season in Saturday’s goalless draw at Huddersfield. It means that Hazell is now banned for two matches and will miss the home clash with the Cumbrians and the away reunion with ex-Athletic boss Dave Penney at Bristol Rovers on Saturday.

Midfielder Chris Taylor is struggling to recover from a leg injury picked up at Huddersfield in order to take to the field tomorrow.

The winger — operating in central midfield in the absence of the ill Dale Stephens — will have his knock assessed by the club’s medical team today.

Stephens could be out for the Carlisle game after picking up a glandular infection.

Andy Todd is likely to step in as a straight replacement for Hazell tomorrow, while Ritchie Jones and new man Medi Abalimba appear to be battling for the vacant midfield spot should both Taylor and Stephens fail to recover in time.


ATHLETIC’S reserves were defeated 3-0 at Manchester United in the quarter-final of the Lancashire Senior Cup.
The behind-closed-doors game at Carrington was decided by a brace of goals from Joshua King and one from Bebe.