Striker Charlie set to return for Walsall test

CHARLIE MacDONALD (right) proved a handful for Stevenage.

ATHLETIC boss Lee Johnson will tinker with his forward line as he bids to get back on the goals trail against Walsall.

Charlie MacDonald’s impressive work rate at Stevenage puts him at the front of the queue for the Boundary Park test on Saturday which pits Athletic — third in the early Sky Bet League One standings — against the second-placed Saddlers.

MacDonald is likely to step into the shoes of injured teenager Jonson Clarke-Harris (ankle), to operate up front in tandem with Adam Rooney.

That same strike duo proved a hit in Athletic’s 4-3 win at the Lamex Stadium on Saturday.

And after the 1-0 loss to Derby in midweek, in which MacDonald was rested, Johnson admitted that the Clarke-Harris and Rooney partnership didn’t quite click.

“I was a little disappointed with Jonno (Clarke-Harris) in that he was playing his game and not our game,” said the manager. “It was not his fault, as he is enthusiastic and he only wants to do well.

“I would like to have seen him and Rooney get closer together so they can use their physical prowess. That is why I played them. It led to two good central defenders for Derby being reasonably comfortable.”

Jose Baxter, who continues to be linked with a move from Athletic, will probably remain in a deep play-making role this weekend as Johnson tries to recreate the vibrant first-half effort against the Rams — but this time, with goals.

The boss hopes that the Athletic contingent among the 5,000 crowd for the Capital One Cup first-round tie will have been pleased with the style of football employed by their team.

“I think they know we are trying to do the right things,” Johnson added. “And even though we didn’t score against Derby, we still look like we have goals in us.”