Simpson concern

ROBBIE Simpson faces a fitness battle in order to be ready for tomorrow’s Shrewsbury test in npower League One.

The striker, recently operating in central midfield, didn’t play at Hartlepool due to his continuing injury troubles and may also have to sit out this one.

“Robbie struggled through on Saturday (at Bournemouth) but he wasn’t 100-per-cent,” Athletic boss Dickov.

“So with Jim (Wesolowski) and Dean (Furman) back, we decided to give him a bit of a rest. He will be touch and go.

“There is no pull or tear, but there is inflammation in his groin and pelvic bone so it is something we have to manage.”

Definitely absent tomorrow are Jose Baxter and Cristian Montano, both having claimed fifth bookings of the season at Hartlepool for what Dickov described as the “stupid” offence of kicking the ball away.

Youssouf Mchangama and Matt Smith are the pair’s likeliest replacements, while Jonathan Grounds’ own return from a one-match ban will see him slot in again at left-back for what Dickov expects to be a tricky contest.

Baxter is contracted to Athletic up to January 14, while on-loan Matt Derbyshire stays at Boundary Park until December 15.

Meanwhile, have signed West Brom defender Cameron Gayle (20) on loan, while terminating loan arrangements for Michael Hector and Jeremy Helan.

Athletic (probable, 4-4-2): Bouzanis; Wabara, Byrne, Mvoto, Grounds; Croft, Wesolowski, Furman, Mchangama; Smith, Derbyshire. Subs (from): Jacob, Tarkowski, Brown, Winchester, Mellor, Sutherland, Hughes, Taylor.

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