Striker hits comeback trail

REUBEN REID . . . the Athletic striker resumes full training on Monday.

REUBEN Reid could make a comeback right when Athletic need him most.

The 23-year-old striker has been out with a damaged quad muscle since injuring himself in the televised victory over MK Dons seven weeks ago.

A scorer of five goals this season, including four penalties, Reid has been on the sidelines watching as his forward replacement Robbie Simpson has hit a purple patch both in terms of form and goals.

The Bristol-born player will resume full training on Monday. And though it is highly unlikely he will be risked for the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Northern Area semi-final against Bradford on Tuesday, he could be in line to feature against Sheffield Wednesday at Boundary Park on Saturday, December 10.

After that game, Simpson’s loan spell with Athletic comes to an end — opening the door for Reid to stake his claim once again as the choice strike partner for 12-goal top scorer Shefki Kuqi.

Following the Sheffield Wednesday test, Athletic face a trip to the other side currently in the top two, Charlton Athletic, seven days later.

Charlton beat Huddersfield 2-0 at The Valley last night, a result which pushes Chris Powell’s men seven points clear at the head of npower League One.

Yann Kermorgant headed in Danny Green’s free-kick to put the Addicks ahead and Hogan Ephraim rifled home before the break to double the Addicks' advantage.

Huddersfield pushed hard in the second half, but saw their 43-game unbeaten streak in regular-season league matches come to an end. Lee Clark’s men stay third in the table, behind Charlton and Wednesday.



ATHLETIC reserves’ Lancashire Senior Cup quarter-final at Accrington Stanley, scheduled to be played today, has been cancelled at the request of Stanley in order to protect their Crown Ground pitch.
No new date has been set.


TICKETS for Athletic’s FA Cup second-round tie at Southend this weekend are now on sale.
Season ticket holders can pick up tickets for a discounted price of £5 (adults), £3 (concessions) and £1 (juniors), with prices for non-season ticket holders £10, £5 and £2 respectively.

A supporters’ coach is running to the game. The cost is £24 and bookings can be made through the club shop.