Waiting game

MATT DERBYSHIRE: doubt for tomorrow’s clash at Crawley.

MATT Derbyshire may not feature again for Athletic until at least November 6 — if at all.

The striker had a scan on ribs he injured at Carlisle and the results have not been made public.

But even if the damage is only bruising, the Nottingham Forest man may struggle to feature in the final game of his current loan spell, at Crawley tomorrow.

Athletic manager Paul Dickov believes a deal can be struck to renew Derbyshire’s deal and bring the player back to Boundary Park.

But Forest are unlikely to want him to become cup-tied by playing in the clash at Kidderminster on November 3. So even if Derbyshire stays with Athletic, he probably won’t feature until the home game with Bury on Tuesday week.

If Derbyshire has broken rather than bruised his ribs, he will be out of action for three weeks.

Robbie Simpson could play forward at Crawley in Derbyshire’s absence, as a partner for Jose Baxter.

That would solve the dilemma of whether to play Dean Furman or Simpson alongside James Wesolowski in midfield. Alternatively, Matt Smith may start the game.

Athletic’s manager wants his men to get back to making life uncomfortable for the opposition.

“In recent weeks, our defensive record has been good because we have pressed high up the pitch,” added Dickov, who branded the performance at Carlisle as “abject”.





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