Winger under starter's orders

LEE CROFT: Midweek goal

ATHLETIC'S midweek goal hero Lee Croft could be in line for a rare start against Southend.

The popular winger scored the equaliser from outside the penalty area as Athletic produced a second-half comeback to turn around a deficit and beat Walsall 3-1 in the Checkatrade Trophy to land a place in the last 16 of the competition at Mansfield.

It was 31-year-old Croft's first goal for the club in more than a year, following on from an equaliser at Bury in August, 2015.

It is yet to be confirmed whether Croft will have his current short-term contract extended beyond the start of next month.

But though he has only been named in the starting XI on two occasions this season, the former Manchester City, Derby and Norwich player has had a significant impact when coming onto the field as a substitute.

That was the case at the Banks's Stadium too, when he and Carl Winchester produced the goods as half-time substitutes.

When asked whether Croft is in line to start the Southend game, his manager Stephen Robinson responded: "Let's see, come Saturday. Put it this way, he has done himself no harm.

"He has been doing 'extras' in training. Can he be fitter? If he starts then he won't finish the game.

"He has to make sure that he is able to finish 90 minutes and he has been working very hard towards that. The extra work in training paid off and he was rewarded by that goal.

"He is a clever player. We want Crofty fit to start games and that's what we ultimately have to get to.

"But he has done himself no harm (at Walsall)."

Ryan McLaughlin could be the man to make way if Croft does start for the first time since the 2-0 home defeat to Swindon back in September.

McLaughlin was brought off at half-time at Walsall along with Ryan Flynn and looked slightly tired following on from Athletic's backs-to-the-wall effort in holding on for a 1-1 draw at Oxford last Saturday with 10 men.