Keanu is a class act, says Simpson

KEANU MARSH-BROWN: glowing praise from Robbie Simpson.

KEANU Marsh-Brown has been backed to have a major impact on Athletic's season.

The former Fulham youngster, snapped up by Athletic on a free deal until the end of the campaign with an option for another year, has impressed team-mate and striker Robbie Simpson behind the scenes.

With James Wesolowski ruled out after undergoing surgery to his injured shoulder and likely to be missing for 12 weeks, and Dean Furman (knee) doubtful, it could be that the 19-year-old starts tonight against Walsall at Boundary Park in a reshuffled midfield.

"He is a young and quite a quiet lad," said Simpson, who expects to shake off a tight hamstring. "But in the last week or so he has come out of his shell and is one of us now.

“He has got great talent, especially with the ball at his feet. Over the last week he has shown he has the Latics work ethic, after possibly not realising we work as hard as we do before coming here.

"He is on board with that now and I think he is going to be a great player for us."

In the event of Athletic being without captain Furman, Chris Taylor could move to a central role, with the Marsh-Brown on the left flank and Filipe Morais on the right.

James Tarkowski retains his place in defence as a result of Zander Diamond's hip injury.

Athletic have scored only three goals in six matches in 2012, but Simpson is confident the situation is being addressed.

"Goals are what wins games and we have worked hard on it in training, doing shooting drills at the end of each session. Hopefully, it will be a goal fest against Walsall.