Striker in line for Latics debut

NEW-BOY Matt Smith is set to pull on an Athletic shirt for the first time in anger at Barrow tomorrow.

But Black and Morais are likely to miss out
PAUL Black and Filipe Morais both seem set to sit out Athletic’s friendly at Barrow tomorrow (3pm kick-off).

Left-back Black had an operation at the back end of last season to repair two slight hernias and correct a troublesome abdominal problem, while Morais is nursing a minor knee niggle.

Both are fit to turn out, but it is likely that manager Paul Dickov will wait until Tuesday’s friendly at Mossley before they take to the field.

A number of trialists will play at Holker Street, with the club keen to keep all of their identities under wraps. Athletic will field two separate teams playing 45 minutes each, giving fans the chance to see new signings striker Matt Smith and goalkeeper Alex Cisak in action for the first time.

Former Boundary Park midfielder and current joint Barrow player-boss Darren Sheridan (43) may sit out the game as he also runs the rule over a large number of trialists.

Likely to feature in his side is former Athletic trainee defender Mike Pearson, as the Holker Street club build ahead of a fourth consecutive season in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

The surroundings will be familiar to Athletic pair Chris Taylor and Paul Black, both of whom had loan spells with Barrow while trainees at Athletic.

After Mossley on Tuesday (7.45pm), Athletic travel to Blackburn Rovers’ training ground the following day to play the Premier League side behind closed doors.

There is then a gap until Saturday, July 23, when Blackpool travel to Boundary Park (3pm), Burnley make the same trip on Tuesday, July 26 (7.45pm) and a game on the coast at Fleetwood awaits on Saturday, July 30 (3pm), seven days before the start of the new npower League One season.



SILSDEN is the venue as Athletic’s youth team tonight for their first run-out of pre-season (6.30pm kick-off).

ROCHDALE have signed Liverpool full-back Stephen Darby, rumoured to be a target of Athletic’s, on a season-long loan.

ATHLETIC have been awarded a bye in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
Details of the draw, which takes place on Saturday, August 13, have been announced and Paul Dickov’s men are one of 16 sides to receive free passage through to round two.

It means Athletic will take to the field in the competition in the week beginning Monday, October 3, marking the first time the club has reached the second stage of any senior cup competition for three years.