Selection dilemma

Jean Yves M'Voto

FRESH tough decisions lie in wait as Athletic manager Paul Dickov prepares to greet the impact of more arrivals to his burgeoning squad.

Jean-Yves Mvoto and Filipe Morais were both in the starting line-up the last time the club scooped three points against Wycombe.

Due to Italian pair Luca Scapuzzi — set to start tonight’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy game against Crewe (7pm kick-off) — and Andreas Mancini joining the club on loan from Manchester City, Morais found himself outside the squad altogether for Saturday’s visit of Bury to Boundary Park.

Centre-back Mvoto dropped to the bench for the local derby with Zander Diamond stepping back in, as Dickov opted for defensive alterations for the first time in five matches.

“It doesn’t give me any pleasure having to leave out players out,” said the manager in the countdown to the northern section quarter-final against the npower League Two strugglers.

“I have a close relationship with all of them, individually and as a group.

“I had to tell Jean on Friday he wasn’t playing on Saturday. And I had a chat with Filipe Morais, who didn’t even make the bench.

“It is something I don’t like doing. But it is part of my job and something I will have to do more of — which is a good thing, and a situation I have not had since I have been here.”

Dickov’s attacking options will be further increased by the return of five-goal striker Reuben Reid (thigh) and livewire wing man Josh Parker (knee).

Parker is back in full training and set for a reserves run-out next week, with Reid a week behind him.

Meanwhile, Dickov wants his men to be fully focused tonight to prevent an upset.

“After what happened last season when we lost to Shrewsbury and Accrington, we underestimate Crewe at our peril,” he added.

Athletic (probable): Gerrard; Lee, Diamond, Clarke, Mellor; Scapuzzi, Furman, Adeyemi, Taylor; R Simpson, Kuqi. Subs (from): L Simpson, Mvoto, Black, Smith, Mancini, Morais, Millar, Winchester.

TONIGHT’S game kicks off at 7pm. Admission is £10 adults, £5 concessions and free for under-12s.

The tie will be decided on the night, with no extra time and a penalty shoot-out taking place if the scores are level after 90 minutes.