Duo’s sights on happy return

Photo: Alan Howarth

NOT THIS TIME: Matt Smith reacts after being denied by Exeter ’keeper Artur Krysiak at St James Park on Saturday.

FILIPE Morais and Matt Smith made strong cases to be recalled to the starting line-up for Athletic tomorrow, at a ground on which they have already had a big impact this season.

The substitutes energised the visitors’ attack in the final half-hour of Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Exeter City, both testing busy home goalkeeper Artur Krysiak with shots and causing a host of defensive problems as Paul Dickov’s side tried to get back into the game.

Robbie Simpson and Shefki Kuqi could sit out tomorrow’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy second-round tie at Glanford Park.

That would leave the door open for Morais and Smith to return.

The duo will be keen to link up just as they did at Scunthorpe in the npower League One clash between the clubs in August when Smith rose majestically to power home a late match-winning header from a Morais free-kick .

“When you do get your chance, you have to come on and show what you can do,” said the Athletic boss, who felt his side should have had two penalties at St James Park.

“Both of them certainly did that and were a handful.

“Bradley (Diallo) was excellent at left-back and Tom Adeyemi was everywhere, back defending one minute and the next starting attacks for us.

“There were some really good performances in the second half.

“It is the most annoying thing for me, as I know what the boys are capable of.

“To let themselves down through two sloppy goals is annoying.”

Jean-Yves Mvoto failed to make the line-up at Exeter after suffering an ankle injury in training on Friday morning.

The big French centre-back suffered minor swelling, but should be back in contention to face the Iron in a competition Dickov is certainly taking seriously.

“It’s a big competition for us,” added Dickov. “I will be picking my strongest team.

“If I get a performance like I did in the second half at Exeter, we will have a good chance of winning.”

Athletic welcome good news today in the shape of captain Dean Furman returning to full training.

The 23-year-old has only made two appearances so far this term, going under the surgeon’s knife in August for surgery on his knee.