Lyden ready to step up at long last

Athletic boss Frankie Bunn will be after a positive response to Saturday's dismal 3-1 home League Two defeat to Carlisle at Bradford tonight

Athletic’s loanee midfielder Jordan Lyden is gearing up to make his long-awaited debut tonight (Tuesday) in the Checkatrade Trophy tie at Bradford City (7.30pm kick-off).

The Australian schemer, who linked up at Boundary Park on loan from Aston Villa at the end of August, missed the whole of September with a thigh injury, but having recovered he’s now ready to show Athletic’s fans what he can do.

Lyden said: “It was disappointing to pick up the injury, it was my second training session, so it was unfortunate especially since I thought I was doing well, but now I'm fully fit and raring to go against Bradford.

“I'm fully recovered, so hopefully I can get past all these injuries now, push on and get some games under my belt. “I'm raring to go.

“This injury held me back for a bit, so I've taken longer on my road to recovery, but now I'm fully fit and can't wait to be out there.

“There's a lot to play for, I felt we more than deserved at least a point (Athletic lost 2-1 in their first Trophy group game) against Barnsley, and once again we're playing a higher opposition team away from home, so we'll see what happens.

“It’s a case of each game to their own.

"They may rest players you never know, but it’s a must-win game for both of us since we lost to Barnsley, so we need this to get us going in the competition.”

Visiting fans should note that it is pay on the day only for tonight's match against Bradford City at the Northern Commercials Stadium at Valley Parade.

Ticket prices: Adults: £10 Concessions: £5 Children: £1

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