Bring on the big guns!

RYAN FLYNN . . . excelled in the midweek Checkatrade Trophy win at Fleetwood

UNBEATEN since the opening day of the season on their travels and boosted by the Fleetwood win, Ryan Flynn says Athletic have no fears over their upcoming away-day double-header.

First up for the side currently bottom of Sky Bet League One is a trip to Gillingham on Saturday.

And that's followed a week later by the local derby at Bolton.

Athletic have won on the road at Bury this term and drew at Bradford and Charlton to prove themselves as no pushovers.

While it's been a very different story at home, Flynn - the stand-out player in the 2-0 win at Highbury Stadium in the Checkatrade Trophy - is confident there exists a will among the squad to bounce back from disappointment.

"We have done well against the so-called 'bigger' teams away from home and thrive on that challenge," said Flynn.

'TOUGH'

"Our minds are on the Gillingham game and we know it will be difficult. They are always up there and having lost at Wimbledon, they will be looking to bounce back - especially at home, where they are a tough side.

"We rest up and hopefully, this kick-starts our season.

"We have got to go and do it. It's not a case of worrying about being down there. We simply have to deal with it.

"The only way to do it is working hard. You can't feel sorry for yourselves and I know the boys in the dressing room will knuckle down."

The victory over the Cod Army was Athletic's first in 10 outings in all competitions.

Aside from the goals, Flynn felt it was the energy levels of the team that contributed plenty to the overall effort.

"We needed the win to get the momentum going," he added. "Bar the Millwall game at the start of the season and Swindon at home, performances have not been that bad.

"Some have been very good, but with the position in the table you find yourself in things do go against you.

"You have to knuckle down and work hard. At Fleetwood, we played really well and did some goods things going forward - Lee Erwin and Billy Mckay thoroughly deserved their goals - but it was the pressing and energy in the team that was pleasing.

"Carl Winchester coming in was brilliant and it was another clean sheet.

"There were a lot of positives - but the most important thing was the win.

"Obviously, it's not the league. But it helps to give momentum to kick us on and hopefully, that will happen."

Cameron Dummigan and Ryan McLaughlin were set for action this afternoon when Northern Ireland's under-21s face Ukraine in Kiev in a UEFA Under-21s Championship group game.

Calaum Jahraldo-Martin did not start for Antigua and Barbuda, who were beaten 3-0 in the early hours of this morning in Curacao in their Caribbean Cup qualifier.