Baxter under starter’s orders

JOSE Baxter is set to be recalled tomorrow

JOSE Baxter could step back into Athletic’s starting XI tomorrow as the club aims to make its position in the league safe

One point at home against Crawley at Boundary Park tomorrow will be enough to guarantee freedom from the possibility of relegation. Even if Athletic lose, anything but a Scunthorpe win at play-off chasers MK Dons will see the club safe.

Manager Lee Johnson is keeping his cards close to his chest over his selections, but it is likely 15-goal top scorer Baxter will return after a two-game ban.

“It is a good one, isn’t it?,” said Johnson of his Baxter poser. “We have a couple of little niggles and I have decisions to make about resting players. There was an unbelievable effort in terms of running and work-rate over the last two games.

Do you make changes or go with the team that did so well? I might do a bit of both.”

Changes will certainly occur in the summer. Johnson has 18 players out of contract - revealing the scope of his dilemma once Athletic’s place in 2012-13 is guaranteed.

“Almost everyone has a different scenario,” he added. “Some I might think I can go out and get better, some I might feel are good value to keep and develop. All that depends which division we are in.”

Wholesale turnover is not Johnson’s goal. He is keen to keep settled players, so he can develop his plans over the break and hit the ground running for the new season.

“If you look at the history of teams thrown together over the summer, they don’t start well,” Johnson said. “Next year, it is very important to start well, whichever division we are in.

“Plus we can all sit here choose who we want. But anyone who is any good has five or six options.

“I’ve certainly been impressed with everyone here. But we are always looking to upgrade.”

mattchambers@oldham-chronicle.co.uk