Athletic seek action replay

ZANDER DIAMOND: in line to play alongside Jean-Yves Mvoto.

Dickov hoping for more positive signs
ATHLETIC bid to make it two npower Championship scalps in four days when Burnley visit Boundary Park tonight (7.45pm kick-off).

Having seen off Blackpool 2-1 thanks to goals from Matt Smith and David Mellor, manager Paul Dickov is hoping for another pre-season boost against the Clarets before the npower League One season starts with a home clash against Sheffield United.

As well as Smith, the club's other new signings Zander Diamond and Jean-Yves Mvoto are likely to play and will aim to cement the centre-back partnership that looked so promising against the Tangerines.

Behind them, rookie goalkeepers Dale Connor (18) and Luke Simpson (16) will again share the responsibility between the posts, with number one Alex Cisak being kept out as a precautionary measure with an injured finger.

Burnley lost their first pre-season friendly 2-0 at Bristol Rovers, then saw off Torquay 3-1 at Plainmoor at the weekend thanks to goals from Marvin Bartley, Jay Rodriguez and Alex MacDonald.

Since the end of last term, manager Eddie Howe has brought in centre-back Ben Mee on a season-long loan from Manchester City.

But he has lost the services of striker Chris Iwelumo to Watford, while Chris Eagles and Tyrone Mears are close to a move to the Premier League with Bolton after the Clarets board accepted a joint bid of around £3million for the pair.



ATHLETIC striker Warren Feeney has been called up to Northern Ireland squad for the Euro 2012 qualifier against the Faroe Islands at Windsor Park on Wednesday, August 10.
Feeney is available for Athletic's season-opener against Sheffield United at Boundary Park on Saturday, August 6, but then misses the home Carling Cup tie against Carlisle three days later.


ATHLETIC'S reserves are in action in a home friendly tomorrow, also against Burnley, at Chapel Road (noon kick-off).