It’s time to take a breather, lads

HAVING no fixture in midweek will hand Athletic’s players a significant boost as they begin to close in on a crucial final 12 games of the npower League One season.

Tony Philliskirk’s battlers stand precariously in the fourth and final relegation berth after Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat to promotion-chasing Sheffield United, but now there’s the opportunity to re-energise as, for the first time in three weeks, there is no Tuesday game.

That is something Philliskirk believes will aid the players greatly as they continue to gear up for Saturday’s tough trip to sixth-placed Tranmere.

The Athletic caretaker boss said: “We have gone through a really hectic schedule of late, but having these few days free means all the players will get that opportunity to recharge the batteries a little bit.

“With the FA Cup exploits it’s been a very mentally and physically demanding period, but hopefully we can get a bit of that freshness back as we start to look forward to Saturday.

“Having this little breather will give the lads a boost.

“On top of that, it will give us the chance to clear up one or two niggles we picked up during the Sheffield United game.”

Loan striker Lee Barnard is one player whom Philliskirk is hoping can shake off a troublesome injury this week.