‘Tarky’ set to prosper

James Tarkowski will benefit from an off-season spent in the gym.

Fitness work to pay off for young Latics star
JAMES Tarkowski is being backed to come on strong next season.

The young centre-back was peppered with long balls to turn and chase at Yeovil and the fatigue which resulted led to the home side’s late equaliser at Huish Park last Saturday.

First-team coach Lee Duxbury — who has had limited scope to select the youngster in his reserves set-up — says that 18-year-old ‘Tarky’, who has been offered a professional deal, will benefit from an off-season spent working hard in the gym.

“He tires,” Duxbury said. “He is a young kid and has a fitness programme in May and June to work on his stamina.

“Hopefully he will come back a stronger, fitter player.

“He hasn’t even played many games in the reserves yet, never mind in the first team.

“It is difficult sometimes, because even if players are down to be substitutes in first-team games they might be on after five minutes.

“So you can’t really play them in the reserves beforehand because it might be that they are needed.”

As for the plans for the rest of the squad for next season, Duxbury described the meetings that have already taken place between the club’s management team.

“Paul Butler, our chief scout, has been in, and with the gaffer (Paul Dickov) and Tags (Gerry Taggart) we have all sat down and targeted the players we want to keep. We are still deliberating over a few players, so we are already on the case.

“I think the gaffer will talk to the lads who are out of contract but, with it being a busy schedule, it is a case of fitting it in.”

After today’s game at Exeter, Athletic take on fourth-bottom Walsall at Boundary Park on Monday.

The Saddlers, managed by Dean Smith, are a point away from the safety zone in npower League One and have a home game against mid-table Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow before making the journey north.

“It is going to be an interesting game and a totally different one,” added Duxbury.

“Dean has done quite well since taking over and they will be scrapping for points.”

Walsall currently have two players out injured. Centre-back Clayton McDonald — brother of Athletic reserve defender Rod — dislocated his shoulder last week and misses the remainder of the season, while right-back Aaron Lescott is struggling with tendonitis.



Latest npower League One fixtures (all kick-offs 3pm unless stated) —

Tomorrow: Brighton v Southampton; Bristol Rovers v Charlton; Rochdale v Carlisle; Swindon v Notts County; Walsall v Sheff Wed; Yeovil v Bournemouth.

Monday: Colchester v Brighton (12.15pm); Bournemouth v Bristol Rovers; Carlisle v Leyton Orient; Charlton v Rochdale; Huddersfield v Dag & Red; Notts County v Brentford; OLDHAM v Walsall; Peterborough v Yeovil; Plymouth v MK Dons; Sheff Wed v Swindon; Southampton v Hartlepool; Tranmere v Exeter.


Oldham Bank Holiday reports and reaction on Tuesday