Latics swoop for winger

LATE NEWS: KEANU Marsh-Brown could be pushed straight into Athletic’s line-up tonight for the crucial Johnstone’s Paint Trophy clash against Chesterfield.

The 19-year-old winger, released by Fulham in November, successfully came through a two-week trial at Boundary Park and has joined on a contract running to the end of the season, with an option for a further year.

Scorer of the winning goal for MK Dons against Athletic on the final day of last season — he also impressed during the earlier goalless draw at stadium:mk — Marsh-Brown may start on one of the flanks for Paul Dickov’s men tonight, as they bid to outgun the Spireites.

A goal behind after losing the first leg 2-1, among the 19-man squad bidding to turn that deficit around is striker Robbie Simpson, who has finally become a full-blooded Athletic player.

Simpson, who it is hoped will overcome a hamstring injury to feature, has agreed a permanent deal with Athletic running up to the end of the season.

Also in the running to play tonight are all three of the other players who have recently been receiving treatment, Dean Furman (knee), Zander Diamond (neck) and James Wesolowski (shoulder).

There is no place for Luca Scapuzzi, who has returned to Manchester City after the end of his loan spell, or Reuben Reid, who is yet to regain match sharpness.

Athletic (from): Cisak, Lee, Mvoto, Tarkowski, Black, Morais, Wesolowski, Adeyemi, Taylor, Simpson, Kuqi, Bouzanis, Diamond, Furman, Smith, Parker, Winchester, Mellor, Marsh-Brown.