Bobby dazzler

Bobby Reid with Latics boss Lee Johnson.

LEE Johnson’s first signing may be small in stature, but Athletic’s manager believes Bobby Reid will be a big hit at Boundary Park.

Bristol City’s 20-year-old creative midfield man has completed a youth loan move which keeps him at the club to the end of the season.

A former colleague of Johnson’s at Ashton Gate, Reid is capable of operating anywhere across the middle and has played four times in the npower Championship for the Robins off the substitutes’ bench this season.

Johnson — who has until Thursday to add to his ranks further before the loan window shuts for the season — sees something of himself in tyro Reid.

“Bobby is athletic and a good, little footballer,” Athletic’s manager said. “He may be small in stature, but he is big in courage.

“He is unlucky not to be in Bristol City’s first team. Had it not been for their league position, I am sure he would be because he is certainly ready.

“I have seen him progress from being a boy to become a man and a talented young player. He is a good lad, hungry which is important and keen to help get us out of trouble.

“I am delighted to have him in and am thankful and grateful to Bristol City for helping us out.

“It took him, as it did me in my career, to be around the age of 21 before I could compete with men.

“I think Bristol City kept the reins on him because of that, but now he is ready to explode.

“They are the sort of players we need to find, those who are under the radar.”

Reid, who takes up the number 22 shirt, was set to make his debut for Athletic today in the reserves clash with Hull City at Chapel Road (2pm kick off), provided the pitch passed a morning inspection.

Cliff Byrne was due to get a run-out after injury and Cristian Montano was also included in a solid line-up.

Reserves: Cisak, Byrne, Cooper, Belezika, Mellor, Hughes, Winchester, Reid, Montano, Trialist, Taylor. Subs: Jones, Jacob, Poxon, Pritchard.

ATHLETIC’S game at Shrewsbury, postponed due to snow at the weekend, has been rearranged to take place on Tuesday, April 23 at Greenhous Meadow (7.45pm kick-off).

Athletic had wanted it to be rescheduled for yesterday, but the Shrews said that a 10-day period of notice required by police prevented that from happening.