Winch back in the frame

DROPPED from the match-day squad after defeat against Lincoln City, Carl Winchester could return for tonight's Checkatrade Trophy clash

THE door has not been closed on the career of Athletic's longest-serving player, insisted boss Stephen Robinson ahead of tonight's Checkatrade Trophy tie at Walsall.

Carl Winchester was a notable absentee from the named 18 at Oxford, left out after a howler at Lincoln City, though he did travel with the squad to the Kassam Stadium.

A furious Robinson vowed after that 3-2 loss at Sincil Bank that certain players would not feature for him again.

But Winchester (23), who scored in the 2-2 draw at Port Vale last month, might get a run-out tonight as Athletic attempt to land a last-16 tie at Mansfield.

"Carl has talent and he has to find consistency in his game," said Robinson, who has Freddie Ladapo fit again after a knee problem with Lee Erwin (groin) a doubt, Marc Klok (calf) still struggling and Paul Green a candidate to be rested, having only recently returned from a calf injury.

'INVOLVED'
"He will be involved (at Walsall). He was not going to start for me at Oxford and I put boys in the team where I knew exactly what I would get from them, in terms of their application, running and desire.

"Carl is a little bit different. He can turn games on their head, but in the position we are in at the moment, we can't afford for only one or two moments per game.

"We need consistency and that is why they team was picked as it was, to get a reaction after Lincoln.

"As a boy I love Carl and there is no problem between us.

"We pay his wages and he will definitely be involved for us."

There may also be opportunities tonight for youth team pair Dylan King and Brendan Glackin.

Centre-back King, named on the bench at Oxford, has impressed when training with the first-team over the past month and fellow Northern Ireland under-19s star Glackin has been prolific in front of goal for the under-18s in the league this term, scoring on 12 occasions.

"Oldham can't continue to sign 22 players at a time, so we have to have a direct line to the youth team," Robinson said.

'SUPER JOB'
"Tony Philliskirk has done a super job with them and both boys were here long before I was.

"Brendy's goals record speaks for itself in the youth team and it's what we are missing at the moment.

"Win our game in hand and we are out of the bottom-four. So even without scoring goals, we are not too far away.

"Put goals into the team, add who we want in January and there is not a whole lot missing.

"Brandy gives us an option. If you can score goals, you can do it at any level.

"Dylan has trained us on a regular basis for the past month.

"And if you can throw Peter Clarke about in training, then you come into my reckoning!"

A victory for Athletic tonight will win the club £20,000 and leave them only three victories away from a place in the Wembley final.

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