Boss keeps his counsel

John Sheridan

ATHLETIC have nine games left to get the points needed to save their Sky Bet League One skin - but boss John Sheridan isn't prepared to name the tally he believes will be needed to beat the drop.

Sheridan described tomorrow night's home clash with Oxford as a "must-win" after his side were held to a goalless draw by Bury.

He will hope his side can continue their excellent midweek record - Athletic have won four and drawn three of their eight league games on Tuesday nights this season - to see off Michael Appleton's side, who were 2-1 winners at Peterborough at the weekend.

"I don't want to say, as it puts pressure on," said Sheridan, when asked about how many points Athletic will need to end the season outside of the bottom-four. "In the back of my mind, I do think of a certain amount.

"But you look at results elsewhere and you just don't know.

"You look at Port Vale and they have games in hand, but they have got to win them.

"It is really tight. There were one or two results that didn't go our way and one or two that keep us in a similar position.

"Oxford is a big game. Win and you can go level with teams above you.

"It is very tight, but I am only bothered about us. We have to look after ourselves and draws and all well and good, but the difference of two points is massive at this stage of the season.

"We are going to have to pull out a few wins from somewhere. If I had 20 games to go, we would think we are not too bad.

"But we only have nine left. You have to be wary of it.

"There are seven or eight teams still in it and we have to finish top of that little mini league."

Rob Hunt's hamstring injury prevented him from playing against Bury, but the left-back is expected to be fit for tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Ryan McLaughlin's good form has resulted in a Northern Ireland call-up for their home World Cup qualifier with Norway on Sunday, March 26.

It means McLaughlin will be missing from Athletic's line-up the day before as Sheridan's men host leaders Sheffield United.

"We have watched him quite a bit and I'm keen to see more of him," said Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill.

ATHLETIC'S home game with Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, April 15, has had its kick-off time changed to 12.30pm.

Discussions with the club's safety officer and the police led to the change, for a game that will see Bolton's fans housed in the Jimmy Frizzell Stand with home supporters relocated to the Chaddy End.