Waiting game for Gerrard

DEFENDER Anthony Gerrard is set to sign a short-term deal once he is fit

ATHLETIC are having to play a waiting game over Anthony Gerrard, but plan to sign him on a short-term deal once he is fit again.

The centre-back (30) did not feature for the reserves in last night's 2-1 loss at Blackburn in the second round of the Lancashire FA Senior Cup due to a calf injury.

Gerrard was due to resume training today, though. Once confirmed as being beyond his injury, manager Stephen Robinson said the club will aim to snap him up with a view to extending the deal early next year.

"Anthony is someone we are trying to get fit, to then give a short-term deal to and look further into it in January," Robinson said.

"He is one of the players we would look to get signed up as soon as we can.

"We would take him in a heartbeat and get him signed - but we are not in a position to do that yet, unfortunately."

Calaum Jahraldo-Martin scored the opening goal at Leyland last night in a line-up that featured several first-team players.

With nine fixtures between now and the re-opening of the transfer window, including an FA Cup second-round clash at Lincoln City and a Checkatrade Trophy tie at Walsall, Robinson hinted that he may look to bring in available players sooner than had been anticipated in order to boost the squad.

"We may look to bring in a couple of players and fast-track that a couple of months - players we have had our eye on and who we were looking at for January on free transfers," Robinson said.

"If you do bring in free transfers, they are a bit away fitness-wise. It's not a great situation, but the players we have in mind are fit boys and will get through games.

"We may have to add, but it may also give other players opportunities."

Jahraldo-Martin's first-half goal was cancelled out by a Connor Mahoney penalty and Connor Thomson netted the winner in the 77th minute.

Reserves: Kettings, Law, Wilson, King, Reckford, Croft, Klok, Trialist, Osei, Winchester, Jahraldo-Martin.

RONALDO Brown and Rory Middleton were on the score sheet as Athletic's youth team made it into the third round of the FA Youth Cup with a 2-0 win at Romulus FC.

Jay Sheridan, son of former Athletic boss John, and Ryan Scholes, nephew of Manchester United great Paul, both made appearances for Athletic off the bench.

Tony Philliskirk's side now face a home tie against Birmingham City in round three.