Fit and firing . . . pass master always ready to step in

OLLIE BANKS . . . scored match-winning goal against Charlton Athletic in midweek

WHILE stretching their advantage over rivals at the bottom with a series of excellent results, Athletic's players are getting stuck into yoga to stay fit for the run-in.

"It sorts your touch out!" joked boss John Sheridan after the midweek win over Charlton pushed the club three points clear of the League One bottom-four.

For Ollie Banks, though, an exercise regime championed by Ryan Giggs seems to be having some effect in helping strengthen the muscles.

LOVELY

"A few of the lads might say so, a few might say different!" said Banks, scorer of a lovely early goal on Tuesday which turned out to be the match-winner. "But it must be working as we are winning games. You don't mind doing anything if that is the case."

What's certainly the case is that Athletic's record in avoiding soft-tissue injuries this season is impressive, even accounting for Cameron Dummigan currently being out until next month with a hamstring tear.

Sheridan has benefited from having the likes of Banks fit and ready to be called upon when needed, as was the case when the leg-weary Ousmane Fane was rested for the Charlton game.

The squad of senior players remains relatively small and within the confines of the dressing room Banks says there is a collective mindset at play in which team-mates are well-drilled and eager to back each other up.

"We have a brilliant shape about us and everyone works extremely hard. If someone happens to be out of position, there is always someone on hand to cover," said the former Chesterfield and FC United player (24).

"We have a great set of lads here. Everyone has that desire to work for each other and that is half the battle.

"The pitch isn't the best. But you get accustomed to the conditions and Saturday at Swindon will be a different prospect altogether.

"They have a decent pitch and they like to play football. We would like to play a bit more football, but the pitch doesn't allow that.

"You've got to do what you've got to do in order to win games."

A superior surface at the County Ground should help Banks with his well-regarded passing, if he is selected.

The most important thing, though, is getting a positive result at a club struggling in 22nd place.

'IMPORTANT'
"If we go and win on Saturday then that's nine points from out last three games," Banks added. "It's also the case that the important ones are the games against teams around us.

"Keep winning those ones and I think we will be fine."

As for his own form, Banks admitted his first season at SportsDirect.com Park has not quite gone to plan and a player who signed a two-year deal last July is aiming for better times to come.

"I have not had the best start here, of the sort I would have wanted," he said. "But hopefully, I can kick on now."