Latics boss's faith in squad

Photo: Alan Howarth

OUSMANE FANE . . . the Athletic midfielder could return against Swindon on Saturday

JOHN Sheridan has full confidence in every one of his players to do the job asked of them, hinting at further changes to the starting line-up at Swindon on Saturday.

Aaron Amadi-Holloway returns to action at the County Ground after missing the Charlton victory with a knee injury and the striker could be joined in the team by other colleagues who sat it out in midweek.

Ousmane Fane is among the players who could return, as an Athletic side buoyed by five wins in eight outings attempts to stifle Swindon's hopes of getting out of relegation trouble.

"The ones who haven't been playing I want to keep as sharp as I can, because I will probably make changes again," said Sheridan, who is keen not to over-burden certain players ahead of what will be a fifth outing in 15 days.

"I am leaving good players on the bench. I have Tope Obadeyi, Ryan Flynn, Lee Croft, Darius Osei and others on there and I feel I can put in any of them and we will just carry on with what we are doing.

"I left out Ousmane Fane and he did nothing wrong. I just felt he looked a bit tired against Coventry and a rest sometimes does you the world of good.

"It is about 19 or 20 players and keeping them all on their toes. I know they all want to play, but I can only be as honest as I can be in naming teams to try to win games."

Athletic have won every game under Sheridan in which they have scored first and while praising the new-found mental strength of his players, the manager played down his own impact while also stressing he won't let anyone rest on their laurels.

"I don't know what has gone on previously and it's nothing to do with me really. I have just come in and tried to put my own stamp on it," Sheridan added.

'DECISIONS'

"We are all different and I have said before, I was at Notts County where we didn't look like we were going to win a game.

"Sometimes your decisions are right and when you are winning games, it looks like that.

"But I can still see things we can do a lot, lot better. People can hear that from me on the sidelines. I won't let things go and if I need to be vocal, I will be.

"I have to applaud the players more than anyone. They have been outstanding so far."