Furman hope

Latics captain eyes return

SKIPPER Dean Furman is expected to be welcomed back into the ranks as Athletic bid to inject life into their season this weekend.

The absence of the 23-year-old, out with a sore knee, has been felt across the last three games — including both legs of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy area final against Chesterfield — as Athletic’s campaign has stalled.

Providing the game at Brentford beats the freezing conditions, Furman is expected to step back into centre-field at Griffin Park alongside James Wesolowski, who will play his final game before undergoing shoulder surgery.

“Dean has got a realistic chance for Saturday,” said Athletic manager Paul Dickov, who was disappointed that the scheduled game at Stevenage on Tuesday fell victim to the elements.

“He was close for Stevenage, but we didn’t want to risk it.

“Dean has come a long way in a short space of time and hopefully by tomorrow, he will be taking a full part in training.”

Dickov also revealed just how threadbare the Athletic squad was for the postponed Stevenage game.

Zander Diamond is missing for around three weeks with a problem around his hip and Bradley Diallo is a long-term absentee with a severe hamstring injury.

On a more positive note, it is hoped that striker Reuben Reid will be able to resume full training next week after an absence now stretching to four months.

Reid, who was in excellent form in the early part of the season, suffered a setback in his recent attempted comeback from a thigh muscle injury.

“We only had 16 outfield players fit for Stevenage,” Dickov added.

“Reuben Reid, Dean Furman, Zander Diamond and Bradley Diallo were all injured and it makes things tight at the moment.

“Hopefully with the games we have coming up, we get them back soon.”



ATHLETIC are appealing for volunteers with shovels to help clear the pitch tomorrow and Friday, from 9am, in preparation for Tuesday's home match against Walsall.



THE reserves’ home match against Tranmere in the Central League, West Division, has been rearranged for Wednesday, March 28, at Chapel Road (2pm kick-off).