Latics boss in selection poser

LEE JOHNSON . . . happy with the squad at his disposal

ATHLETIC manager Lee Johnson won’t try to boost his existing squad for this weekend’s game against Carlisle.

Johnson admits he already has a tough job trying to narrow his selections for Saturday’s match.

Loan moves are off the agenda, Johnson said - and with most players fully-fit at the moment he has some difficult calls to make, particularly among his strikers.

Danny Philliskirk scored his third goal in five games at Preston last week, while Adam Rooney produced a hard-grafting performance leading the forward line.

Rested that night was Charlie MacDonald — who has scored twice, earning Athletic a point each time, in his last three games.

“It’s a good headache to have,” said Johnson.

Kirk Millar, who played for Northern Ireland’s under-21s in Serbia yesterday, and Carl Winchester, who came on as a substitute in the same game, are both back in contention for a place in the Oldham squad.

So is Edijs Joksts, who has returned after turning out for Lativa’s under-21s earlier this week.

A victory over Carlisle could push the team as high as 16th in the division — while a heavy defeat could theoretically put them at the bottom of the table, providing Sheffield United and the other four clubs below Athletic, win their games.