Johnson ponders move for defender

ATHLETIC manager Lee Johnson has made tentative enquiries over a couple of centre-backs as he bids to stave off a potential defensive crisis.

George Elokobi will definitely miss the clash at Peterborough on Saturday with his injured thigh, while Adam Lockwood remains three weeks away from a comeback. That leaves James Wilson, Genseric Kusunga and Timothee Dieng as options in the defence at London Road.

After that game Kusunga’s call-up to the Angola squad for the Africa Cup of Nations will rule him out of two matches - the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy second-round tie at home to Barnsley and the home clash with Walsall on October 11.

With Elokobi likely to be absent for both fixtures, further injuries would leave Johnson short-staffed in defence.

“I have had the thought of bringing someone in and we do seem to need that experienced centre-back,” said Johnson. We have made a couple of calls, given the scenario.”

Dieng was in the reserve team which drew 1-1 in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Rochdale at Chapel Road yesterday.