Watch me go!

More to come, says Kuqi

SHEFKI Kuqi says Athletic fans can expect a lot more from the striker when he reaches full match sharpness.

The former Stockport, Ipswich and Crystal Palace man marked his arrival at the club by powering home a header after only six minutes against Huddersfield in the 1-1 draw at Boundary Park.

In his first outing of the season, Kuqi (34) linked well with strike partner Reuben Reid to cause the ambitious Terriers numerous problems. The Finn was then brought off the field for a rest as 10-man Athletic defended manfully for the final 10 minutes.

“I felt a little bit disappointed with my performance as I didn’t move like I normally do,” said Kuqi.

“I didn't feel sharp enough but I have been in this situation before.

“I just need a couple of games. And by then, I will know the other players better and they will know me a little more as well.

“I think things can only get better.”

A frantic derby contained few flashpoints up until Bradley Diallo’s dismissal for a lunge on Oscar Gobern.

For their part, Athletic were seething with the body language of Huddersfield’s former Southampton midfielder.

“They were down holding their face and their body and as soon as they got a decision were up and smiling and laughing,” added Kuqi, echoing his manager Paul Dickov’s thoughts.

“With the red card, their lad got tackled and it looks bad, but I don’t think it was so bad to get a straight red. He got up, was laughing and then got down again.”

Diallo will now serve a three-match suspension as a result of the dismissal for serious foul play.

With Paul Black out injured with a slight tear to his groin — Dickov said the 21-year-old will have a scan, but expects him to be absent for “a number of weeks” — it leaves Athletic with only one apparent option at left-back, in the shape of David Mellor.