Deliver the goods

WING PLAY . . . Ryan McLaughlin made an encouraging contribution after coming on a second-half substitute against Bristol Rovers

RYAN McLaughlin could be the man Athletic turn to in order to provide service for the strikers at Rochdale.

The Northern Ireland international announced his return to fitness with a promising half-hour run-out in the Bristol Rovers defeat.

It was the 23-year-old winger's first taste of senior action since he reported back from under-21s duty with a sore back earlier in the month.

The former Liverpool academy prospect duly sent in a flurry of crosses, leaving manager Stephen Robinson frustrated that his strikers could not take full advantage.

Also back in training this week is fellow wide player Lee Croft, and with Calaum Jahraldo-Martin also offering an option from the wings, Robinson is not complaining about the service in attacking areas.

What is needed now, the manager says, is for his forwards to cash in - just as they did in scoring two goals recently in games against Fleetwood, Gillingham and Scunthorpe.

"Quite simply, they need to score goals," said Robinson, when asked how his strikers should improve.

"The balls are going into good areas and Ryan McLaughlin put in a number of good crosses when he came on.

"They need to have that desire to score goals. I didn't think any of the three strikers (Lee Erwin, Freddie Ladapo and Darius Osei) really got into the positions to score goals against Bristol Rovers.

"We must keep putting deliveries into those areas and they need to take advantage.

"It may have been a lack of energy - I have said three or four or maybe more looked a bit leggy and it's not that any player ever wants to not do well - and if I need to shake it up or change things around, I am quite willing to do that."

Robinson also revealed the extent to which he players covered the ground in a lung-busting effort against Scunthorpe a week ago, pointing to veteran midfielder Paul Green as a player the rest of his squad should look up to.

"After you have played on a Saturday, to play on a Tuesday night is always easier," the manager added. "I know that from being a player myself.

"We know that Ryan Flynn and Paul Green ran nearly 13km against Scunthorpe, which is a hell of a lot of running.

"Ousmane Fane and Greeny still covered every blade of grass. It's about finding it in your body to keep going, again and again.

"Greeny was brought off so we could get Ryan Flynn playing centrally and Calaum Jahraldo-Martin out wide.

"He could have run for another two games. He is an example to every player at the club on how to recover and how they need to lead their lives."

JOE Royle, Les Chapman and Bernard Halford are among the faces from the past who will be speaking at the launch of Trust Oldham's Former Players Association on Thursday night.

Doors open for the event at 6.30pm, with a curry served from 7pm in the Broadway Suite in the club's North Stand.

Andy Rhodes, Richard Jobson, Keith Hicks, Andy Ritchie and Ian Wood are among those who will be attending.

Tickets can also be purchased at the Oldham Event Centre or by calling 0161 785 5185.

BOLTON savoured a long-awaited victory at Bury as Zach Clough's two penalties gave Wanderers their first league win at Gigg Lane since 1929.

Clough won and converted spot-kicks in either half - though the awarding of both was questioned by home manager David Flitcroft - in the first league meeting between the two North-West neighbours in 17 years.

The result lifted Bolton up to second in the Sky Bet League One table, three points adrift of leaders Scunthorpe.