Latics poised to win Bunn fight

HARRY Bunn could take to the field for his home-town club tomorrow — against a side he represented on loan earlier this season.

The 19-year-old son of Athletic legend Frank, who like his dad is a striker, was today poised to seal a loan deal from Manchester City’s academy in time to make his debut for manager Paul Dickov in a derby clash against Rochdale.

The game is of heightened importance. Rochdale are bottom of npower League One and desperate for victory, while Athletic are hunting a morale-boosting first win in four matches.

Bunn would link up with either Shefki Kuqi or Reuben Reid in the forward line if he signs as Athletic hunt goals at the home of their nearest geographical rivals.

The former Saddleworth School pupil’s proposed move is laced with irony. Dad Frank was assistant to Harry’s former City academy boss Steve Eyre when he moved to Spotland on a temporary basis in November.

The pair were sacked in December. After scoring one goal in eight appearances, Bunn Jnr then switched to Preston at the turn of the year in a curtailed loan spell.

He only played once at Deepdale, scoring in a 3-2 home win over Wycombe, while recently coming to prominence by turning out alongside Carlos Tevez in a reserves clash for City.

Athletic are understood to have faced competition from Brentford and Hartlepool for Bunn's signature.

And Dickov will hope the signing serves to inspire his side against John Coleman's men.

“The most important thing as the manager now is to keep spirits high,” Dickov said, following a three-game streak of defeats.

“As players, when you try to do the right things and it is not going for you, the big thing is to have the belief to carry on doing so.

“Yes, we are in a sticky patch and it is not always going to happen for us. But we must have a positive attitude.

“We have had the buzz of the cup games (against Liverpool and Chesterfield) and since then, it has gone a little bit flat in certain areas of the club.

“But I won’t let that happen. We have a group of fans who support us home and away and it is my duty and my job to keep everyone upbeat.

“There is nothing better for that than winning a derby game.”

Dickov believes that midfielder Youssouf Mchangama, who showed positive flourishes in difficult circumstances on his starting debut at Stevenage — a culture shock, if ever there was one, for a player used to a more sedate pace of play in France — may take between three and four weeks to fully get to grips with the English game.

“There is a player in there,” he said, of the Comoros Islands international who holds a French passport.

“If anything, he can be a bit over-enthusiastic in chasing things and wanting to do it all himself.

“It is early days, but we are hopeful there will be a future here for Youssouf.”

Dean Furman (knee) is not yet ready to return to action and nor is Robbie Simpson (broken toe).

Zander Diamond has had a scan on the thigh injury sustained early on at Stevenage, while Keanu Marsh-Brown serves the third of what the FA this increased to a five-match ban.

ATHLETIC are encouraging supporters to get their tickets early for the Rochdale game. Tickets can be bought at Boundary Park until 4pm today, or at Spotland on the day. Around 1,400 have been sold so far.