Others can follow example of emerging heroes – boss

HIGH HOPES . . . Jonson Clarke-Harris is one of the players Athletic believe can make the big breakthrough into the first team set-up.

Athletic are building up to full steam thanks to hidden gems starting to sparkle.

Danny Philliskirk and Carl Winchester start tonight at Meadow Lane boosted by their goals which saw off Swindon to hand Athletic a third win in four games.

The sudden upturn in fortunes, points-wise, can only be sustained if players like those two — plus other fringe men Kirk Millar and Jonson Clarke-Harris — rise to prominence, argues manager Lee Johnson.

Having dismissed the Wolves defeat a week ago, the boss believes his squad is gradually getting the hang of what is expected of them.

“A club like ours needs to pluck a few players from out of the woodwork.,” he said. “Thankfully, we seem to have done that. Danny Philliskirk has come into his own and done very well. Kirk was very good against Carlisle the other week and Carl Winchester came in, scored a great goal and did really well against Swindon.

“We are getting there. The winning mentality we are trying to create is creeping in. But we are still not where we want to be.

“We had hoped that we would hit the ground running this season, but that wasn’t to be. Instead we are making gradual progress.”

After two days away on a UEFA Pro Licence studies, Johnson is back in charge for tonight’s clash at Notts County - and is likely to bring in David Mellor for the suspended James Tarkowski.

Joseph Mills and Charlie MacDonald are still out with injury, while more will be known of Matteo Lanzoni’s hamstring problems by the weekend. Connor Brown is back training again following a knee operation.