Winchester hit by knee trouble

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK: Anton Rodgers gets a warm welcome from Athletic manager Lee Johnson.

CARL Winchester will miss the start of the season with a knee injury.

The midfield man (20), who recently signed a one-year contract extension, is expected to be out of action for between six and eight weeks with ligament damage.

Winchester, whose first-team chances were sporadic towards the end of 2012-13, will again need to be patient in trying to persuade manager Lee Johnson he is worthy of a starting role.

James Dayton missed training on Friday after picking up a slight knee injury during Athletic’s Army training stay.

Unlike Winchester, Dayton should be ready to take part in tonight’s pre-season friendly at Curzon Ashton (7pm kick-off).

New signing Anton Rodgers will feature with a squad slightly adjusted to accommodate another, private, game tomorrow.

Rodgers has signed a one-year contract with Athletic, with a one-year extension option

Rodgers started his career at Chelsea, before moving to Brighton at 18. Last season he spent a short time with Exeter.



ATHLETIC manager Lee Johnson wants to use the club’s forthcoming Meet the Manager event to explain to the club’s supporters his plans for next season.

The meeting, at The Village Hotel in Ashton on July 24 (7pm), will let fans rub shoulders with Johnson and a selection of senior players ahead of the season’s opening game at Stevenage on August 3.

Tickets are £15 (£10 concessions, over-65s and under-16s) from www.wegottickets.com/trustoldham or from Athletic’s club shop.