Waiting game

James wesolowski: the Athletic midfielder (left) has dislocated his shoulder twice already this season.

Latics keeping fingers crossed for ‘Jimbo’
ATHLETIC star James Wesolowski will discover his injury fate today.

The midfielder was seeing a specialist to discover the state of play over his shoulder, which dislocated for the second time in a month against Exeter.

The fear is that the battling Australian will need surgery to correct the damage — rumours are rife that he will be missing for three months — but Athletic manager Paul Dickov is remaining positive that the former Leicester City and Peterborough player will be available for the massive Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, Northern final second leg against Chesterfield on Monday at Boundary Park.

The same is true for lesser concerns Dean Furman (knee), Zander Diamond (neck) and Robbie Simpson (hamstring).

“They have all got a chance for Monday, including Jimbo,” said Dickov.

“We will see how they are at the end of the week but I expect most, if not all, to be playing.

“Zander and Dean should be fine and with Robbie, it is just the effects of a lot of games in a short space of time after a month of not playing.

“Jimbo has still got a good chance of playing.

“Apart from that there are a few aches and pains, but nothing you would not expect after the schedule we have had. So these extra few days we have will do us good.”

To reach the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final at Wembley on Sunday, March 25, Athletic need to overcome a 2-1 first-leg deficit.

There is no away goals rule in the competition and if the televised tie is level on aggregate at the end of 90 minutes, a penalty shoot-out will ensue.

The Southern final, featuring Barnet and Swindon and poised at 1-1 after the game at Underhill, reaches a conclusion with the second leg at the County Ground on Tuesday, February 7.