Shez to shake things up?

PLOTTING A THIRD STRAIGHT HOME SUCCESS: John Sheridan

FRESHENING up could be the order of the day when Athletic bid to make it three straight home victories against Millwall.

Manager John Sheridan conceded that his side lacked sharpness in the opening half of what was a fortunate draw at Swindon.

The players did raise their game in the second half to take a point at the County Ground and the squad as a whole has been able to rest up with no midweek game.

But in order to get his side onto the front foot against the Lions, Sheridan might opt to make changes.

That could be good news for former Sheffield United schemer Ryan Flynn, who has been an unused substitute in the last two fixtures after being taken off after an hour against Coventry.

Tope Obadeyi is another candidate should Sheridan opt to inject more pace into his line-up.

The former Kilmarnock winger or forward has made one start for Athletic since signing on deadline day, playing for an hour in the last-gasp 1-0 defeat at MK Dons.

Experienced wide-man Lee Croft and Michael Ngoo will also be keen to get more game-time and when it comes to the latter player - already something of a fan favourite for his unorthodox, high-action style - Sheridan feels the former Liverpool academy man can offer a useful option emerging from the subs' bench.

"Michael is not particularly easy on the eye to watch at times, but he can be effective," Sheridan said.

"He puts himself about but to start games, fitness-wise, he hasn't played a lot of football.

"He has done what I wanted him to do, coming on to give us something a little bit different.

DIFFICULT

"I have to tell him to calm down in training, as he is topping everyone without meaning to do it, just with the way he is and how he plays.

"He comes on and he is difficult to play against, doing things you don't expect him to."

FORMER Athletic manager David Dunn has been named as Blackburn Rovers' new first-team coach, after Tony Mowbray was named as head coach following on from the sacking of Owen Coyle the previous day.

Dunn (37) had been working with the club's academy, but steps up to senior duties where he will work alongside Mowbray and his assistant David Lowe.