Lowe eager to make an instant impact

Photo: Darren Robinson

RARING TO GO... on-loan midfielder Jason Lowe wants to change Athletic’s fortunes.

JASON Lowe has big shoes to fill at Athletic.
The Blackburn Rovers midfielder makes his debut against Tranmere tonight (7.45pm kick-off), the first in a series of eight battles as his new club try to dig themselves out of an increasingly sizeable hole.

The 19-year-old — a player Athletic boss Paul Dickov tried, and failed, to bring in earlier in the campaign — steps into the side’s engine room alongside Dean Furman, as a straight replacement for outgoing top scorer and creative fulcrum Dale Stephens.

But if Dickov is worried about losing his vice-captain to Southampton, it isn’t showing.

And that is largely down to what he believes are the outstanding qualities of a player who has Premier League experience with Rovers this season.

“He is a kid we have watched a lot and we have already tried to get him on two occasions this year,” said Dickov of his new recruit.

“The fact that he was chucked in against Chelsea says a lot about him.

“And what is important as well is that he is a great kid.

“Jason is a box-to-box player with a lot of energy. He is a fit boy and isn’t scared to put his foot in when needed. We are delighted to have him.

“Ritchie Jones has done well for us and Carl Winchester is close too.

“At the same time, bringing in players from Premier League clubs with the talent they have got, you have to look to play them.”

Lowe himself is excited at the prospect of getting a chunk of game-time between now and the season’s end.

He replaced David Dunn to take to the field against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in January but aside from that and an FA Cup appearance against QPR, he hasn’t yet stuck in the first team at Ewood Park.

“I didn’t want to be staying at Blackburn sitting on the sidelines,” Lowe said.

“All I want to do is play games and now I have the chance to do that in what is a very competitive division.

“I have seen Oldham’s results and that they haven’t been good lately and I am aiming to do my best to help change that.

“Paul Dickov is known through the game as a real grafter and I am pleased to be here playing for him.

“The lads have made me feel very welcome and I am looking forward to the challenge in the remaining games.

“The fact that the Tranmere game is being televised makes it all the more exciting and I am really looking forward to it.”


YOUNG Athletic fans can gain entry to this Saturday’s game at Notts County for just £1.

The Meadow Lane club are running a ‘Kids for a Quid’ promotion whereby under-16s can gain entry for £1 when accompanied by a full-paying adult.

The offer is available on the turnstiles in the Jimmy Sirrel stand.