New Year’s Eaves

TOM Eaves is set to feature against his former club tomorrow for the first time since leaving Boundary Park.

Shrewsbury are familiar visitors for the New Year’s Day clash (3pm), having already turned out twice against Athletic this season in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and league.

Both times Oldham has come out on top: 4-1 in the knock-out tie and 2-1 in a tighter clash a month ago.

This time, the tall figure of Liverpool-born Eaves (21) adds some intrigue to a contest Athletic need to win to create breathing space from the division’s bottom four.

Eaves left as an 18-year-old to join Bolton. After bedding in, Eaves was let out on loan last season where he netted 13 goals, including 10 in the last six matches for Shrewsbury.

He hasn’t been so prolific since. Only twice has he found the net this season, once for Rotherham.

Shrews boss Graham Turner will want a better return tomorrow as he bids to end a run of six defeats in nine league and cup outings.

Turner, who has six loan players at his disposal, says it is important to maintain a positive outlook despite the team’s lack of form.

Athletic’s own goal poacher, Danny Philliskirk, sits this one out as a result of his knee injury.

The 10-goal striker netted the winning goal when the sides met in the league clash at Greenhous Meadow in late November, after fellow injured forward Charlie MacDonald had equalised shortly before half-time.