Thrills and skills in store from Dinamo

Jonson Clarke-Harris

WATCH and learn is the brief handed out by Athletic manager to his rookie players ahead of tonight’s test against Dinamo Bucharest at Leigh Sports Village (8pm kick-off).
The Romanians, who finished sixth in their top flight in 2012-13, are expected to field a team packed with players of high technical ability.

City rivals Steaua Bucharest — also over in England to play a series of friendlies — hammered Notts County 4-0 earlier this week.

Theirs was a level of performance which left Magpies winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce, a former Bristol City team-mate of Athletic boss Lee Johnson, cooing over the levels of ability on display.

Miracles won’t be expected tonight against Dinamo, a side of similar ability and style, especially with the game arriving after only five days of Athletic’s pre-season training have elapsed.

Johnson sees this contest as part of a planned process — and one which is going smoothly enough to enable him to even get a contented night’s rest.

“It is a brilliant test for us, especially for the young lads who will be able to feel just how good these players are,” said the manager, who has tried to prevent his charges from becoming overworked and thus heavy-legged in the run-up to tonight’s clash.

“I have been very pleased with the progress of the new players in pre-season so far.

“And some who I felt had a bit to do are really pushing hard. They have done so well they have surprised me.

“I actually slept on Wednesday night — so that has to be a good sign!

“I am confident about the way things are going.”

Connor Brown has overcome a bout of flu for tonight’s game, which should see new men Jonson Clarke-Harris, James Dayton and Sidney Schmeltz all get a run-out.

Names to look out for in the Dinamo side are veteran striker Ionel Danciulescu (36), the holder of the appearance record for Romania’s top flight, Croatian midfield man Antonio Asanovic, the son of ex-Derby playmaker Aljosa, and team captain and left wing threat Catalin Munteanu.

In addition, centre-back Srdjan Luchin, midfield duo Sorin Stratila and Marius Alexe and striker Andrei Cristea are all full Romania internationals.

Dinamo saw off Livingston 3-0 in Leeds on Wednesday and after taking on Athletic, have fixtures scheduled against Ayr (July 7), Hearts (July 9) and Barnsley (July 11) before returning home.