Problems mount for Latics

ATHLETIC midfielder James Wesolowski walks off the field with blood pouring from a head wound.

WORRIES are mounting for Athletic as the side continues to count the cost of rotten recent luck.

Matt Smith’s knee injury is likely to keep him out of tomorrow night’s crunch home game with Hartlepool, and James Wesolowski’s deep head wound also makes him doubtful.

Such injury problems wouldn’t bite quite so hard if the team had picked up at least a point at Tranmere.

Though other results favoured Athletic, caretaker boss Tony Philliskirk was cursing another poor call by officials as they failed to spot a blatant handball in the first half at Prenton Park.

“I thought it was a blatant penalty and even Tranmere’s staff agreed,” said Philliskirk.

“He admitted that as it bounced up he flicked it with his arm. The linesman was 15 or 20 yards away.

“I am not making excuses, but in the last two games we have had the short end of the stick with decisions against us.”

Athletic are 21stin the league, two points behind Scunthorpe and three adrift of Colchester with games in hand over both.

The conditions of Smith and Wesolowski were being assessed this morning.

Meanwhile there is a new joint-favourite for the role of permanent Athletic manager.

Former striker Shefki Kuqi, currently playing with Hibs, is now level as a 9-4 shot with Philliskirk, with Phil Brown third at 7-2.