Bring it on!

PAUL GREEN . . . the experienced midfielder is in contention for tomorrow's trip to Scunthorpe United

ATHLETIC are exuding a calm confidence ahead of the toughest back-to-back away trips the club will encounter all season.

Tomorrow sees Stephen Robinson's side visit free-scoring Scunthorpe, who lead Sky Bet League One by five points, at Glanford Park.

Three nights later, the opposition are Port Vale - the only club to have taken more points on home soil than the Iron so far.

Ousmane Fane (groin) is struggling ahead of the game and Lee Erwin has a slight hamstring strain, but Robinson is boosted by the return to training of Paul Green after a calf problem and the experienced midfield man should slot straight back in.

Robinson is aiming to make it a win double over Scunthorpe, following on from the 2-0 home success only a month ago.

And the Athletic boss stressed that his team's recent record stands up to scrutiny.

'WATCHED'

"They are two very difficult games coming up," Robinson said. "But we beat Scunthorpe and have plenty of information on Port Vale, having had them watched a number of times.

"Not only did we beat Scunthorpe, but we also outplayed them and deserved the three points.

"At the same time, we know how good a side they are. They are up where they are for good reason.

"Graham Alexander has done a brilliant job, but we go there with absolutely no fear - as with any game in this division.

"We are quietly confident approaching both games.

'CONTRARY'

"We are on a half-decent run at the moment, contrary to what some people might believe.

"We've come out on top in five of our last 10 games.

"There is no fear about us at all, though we are aware that we have difficult tasks ahead of us."

Key Athletic duo, skipper Peter Clarke and attacking playmaker-in-chief Ryan Flynn, remain on four yellow cards apiece.

One more booking for either player before the November 30 cut-off date will result in an automatic one-game ban, but Robinson says he is not instructing the pair to go about their business any differently.

"You have to play each game 100-per-cent," the manager added. "There is no way you can approach anything half-hearted and with someone like Peter Clarke, he would never do that anyway.

"If players get suspended then we will simply have to deal with it at the time."

Athletic (probable, 4-4-2): Ripley; Dummigan, Clarke, Burgess, Dunne; McLaughlin, Banks, Green, Flynn; Erwin, Mckay. Subs (from): Kettings, Law, Reckord, Wilson, Klok, Winchester, Croft, Fane, Jahraldo-Martin, Ladapo, Osei.

BIG-MATCH report, reaction and pictures in Monday's Chronicle.