Latics wait for Hughes check

Craig Davies: Possible starter if Hughes must sit it out

LEE HUGHES is rated a 50-50 chance to shake off his groin problem and line up for Athletic in tomorrow’s clash with North-West rivals Tranmere.

The highly influential striker will be given until the last minute to prove his fitness after limping out of Tuesday night’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy match.

Winger Chris Taylor (hamstring) missed the midweek game altogether, but high-flying Athletic are hoping he will make a surprise return.

Sean Gregan is back following illness, while Neal Eardley can play after the Welsh authorities gave him permission to report late for international duty.

If Hughes is ruled out, manager John Sheridan must choose between Craig Davies, Deane Smalley and Chris O’Grady to play up front. And he has called on Davies – last season’s top scorer – to start living up to his potential more often.

Sheridan said: “Lewis Alessandra will definitely start, but at the moment I don’t know who will partner him.

“Craig Davies did all right against Morecambe on Tuesday, but he has to learn the game – there are times when he looks like a £5million player and times when he fights with the ball too much.

“The most important things as a striker are your touch and awareness, and Craig needs to work on those things.

“He has to caress the ball and look after it, and he needs to listen, which sometimes I’m not sure he does.

“We’ll keep working with him and persevering. He’s a talented lad and hopefully he will respond to what we tell him.

“Craig is a very good player – that’s why I brought him here – and more than anything he needs to take things on board.”

Athletic could add a new face to their squad before the Tranmere match as they have opened talks with defender Richie Byrne.

The ex-Aberdeen man is set to be offered a contract after impressing Sheridan both in training and while playing for the reserves.

Stefan Stam is facing a short lay-off, but Byrne would provide cover at left-back and centre-half.

ATHLETIC (from): Crossley, Eardley, Hazell, Gregan, Lomax, Liddell, Allott, Whitaker, Taylor, Alessandra, Hughes, Davies, Smalley, O’Grady, Maher, Lee, Stephens, Fleming.

TRANMERE (from): Coyne, Edds, Chorley, Shotton, Taylor, Shuker, Kay, Jennings, Sonko, Savage, Curran, O’Callaghan, Moore, Greenacre, Waterfall, Cresswell, Achterberg.


JOHN SHERIDAN has been beaten to the League One manager of the month award by Leicester’s Nigel Pearson.


OLDHAM Athletic Supporters’ Association are holding a quiz night in the Boundary Park sponsors’ suite on Monday (7.30pm).