Furman faces yellow peril

SAM MANTOM . . . has already impressed new team-mate Dean Furman.

Suspension is occupational hazard, admits Athletic’s midfield ace
DEAN Furman will tread a suspension tightrope at MK Dons tonight (7.45pm kick-off).

The busy Athletic midfielder has nine bookings for the season and — barring injury — it is almost inevitable that he will pick up a two-match ban at some point between now and the cut-off point in April.

The enforced loss of the hard-working 22-year-old would be a blow for Athletic manager Paul Dickov, who has of late already had to make do without playmaker Dale Stephens from the centre of his midfield.

Furman has a fatalistic view of things, though, and likes the look of new on-loan midfielder Sam Mantom.

"At this time in the season you are always likely to get bans,” said Furman, who has missed only one league game through suspension. "It is party and parcel of the game.

"I am disappointed to pick up so many bookings, but it is part of being in there with the role I play.

"We have got good cover and the squad is looking strong with Dale back in training.

"So if there is a suspension looming we have players to come in.

"Sam came in and did very well at Bristol Rovers. He only came to us on Thursday, but really impressed on his debut and it was great to play alongside him.

"He came highly recommended by West Brom and didn't look out of place at all. He was comfortable on the ball and got forward and defended well."

Five-goal Furman took a whack on his foot when trying a shot early on in Athletic's second successive 1-0 loss at the Memorial Stadium, but reckons he will be fit to play.

"It isn't looking too nice, but it looks worse than it feels," Furman added. "It was just a bang and when you are playing, the adrenaline takes over so you don't feel knocks like this one."

MK Dons enter tonight's game on the back of a useful 1-0 win at Hartlepool.

It was a first victory in four matches for Karl Robinson's side, who find themselves sixth in the division and with a reputation as a team who like to play patient, structured football.

Currently on loan at the club are Norwich midfielder Stephen Hughes, QPR striker Rowan Vine, Fulham defender Keanu Marsh-Brown and young Liverpool striking prodigy David Amoo.

Athletic fans will also recognise Lewis Guy. The former Doncaster striker has four goals to his name so far this season.