Croft is back in business

IMPRESSED IN MIDWEEK: Lee Croft

LEE Croft hopes to be wandering free once again down the right flank when Wimbledon roll up on Saturday.

The popular winger (31) announced his return to action after injury with an excellent show in the 2-2 draw against Blackburn's under-21s, creating the first equaliser and slotting home the winning penalty in the end-of-game shoot-out.

It was Croft's first outing for the team in a month, with his previous appearance also seeing him come off the bench to good effect in a 2-1 win at Gillingham.

Croft, whose short-term deal runs out in January with an option to extend it until the end of the season, had been struggling in the intervening period with a bulging disc in his back.

But after working with club physio Stuart Irwin to remedy the problem, he is hoping to make up for lost time in order to persuade his manager Stephen Robinson that he deserves to be kept on at the club.

"My last appearance was Gillingham away where I came on and felt I had a good impact," said Croft, who has made nine of his 11 appearances so far this season as a substitute.

"I have been unlucky to get my injury that put me back a couple of weeks.

"I had to sit out and watch the lads and that had been frustrating, so it was good to get back out onto the pitch.

"I'm glad to being out there again and am looking forward to Wimbledon where hopefully, I will be involved again."

For now, though, his involvement against the Dons may again be restricted to a cameo rather than starting role.

"Crofty has been a bit unfortunate as he was getting close to the first team before getting injured," Robinson said.

"He is not fit enough at this moment to start games. We know that and he's well aware of it."

Athletic qualified for the last-32 stage of the Checkatrade Trophy courtesy of Fleetwood's failure to win at Carlisle last night.

CHANGES

Uwe Rosler made 11 changes to the side that drew 0-0 at Southport in the FA Cup on Monday evening, picking up a £5,000 fine in the process.

The Cod Army went on to lose 4-2 to exit the competition and leave the League two U's still unbeaten this season in all competitions thanks to an eighth straight victory.

Athletic ended up second in Northern Group 'D' and will now face one of the following group winners away from home on the week of Tuesday, December 6: Cheltenham, Wolves Under-21s, Bradford, Doncaster, Rochdale, Scunthorpe and Walsall.

Athletic's 2-2 draw and win on penalties at Blackburn took place in front of only 471 supporters, but for Croft the unusual atmosphere was something he was ready for.

He added: "It was a bit strange, but we expected it a little bit.

"It was a case of going there and putting in a professional performance and getting the result we wanted as it's a good chance to get to Wembley - something every player want to do, no matter what the competition."

CHECK the website at www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk today for details of which club Athletic have been paired with in the next stage of the Checkatrade Trophy.