Forward concern

HAMSTRING VICTIM . . . Aaron Amadi-Holloway

AARON Amadi-Holloway is a fitness doubt for Athletic ahead of the major test against Sky Bet League One leaders Sheffield United.

The 24-year-old striker, who has only missed one game since signing for the club two months ago, came off the field in the draw at Peterborough with a hamstring strain that is requiring treatment.

Amadi-Holloway has struck up a positive partnership with Lee Erwin of late, with the duo particularly impressive in the 2-1 midweek win over Oxford United recently.

Though the former Wycombe and Fleetwood striker has yet to find the net for John Sheridan's side, his value in holding up the ball has been felt throughout the recent run of only one defeat in the last nine outings.

That's a sequence that has seen Athletic climb out of the bottom-four, establishing a three-point cushion from the relegation zone. Last night, Port Vale failed to make inroads into their deficit when losing 2-1 at Coventry.

Defender Anthony Gerrard caught his studs in the turf in the 1-1 draw at Peterborough and had to leave the field late in the second half.

LIGHT-HEARTED

However, the centre-back was filmed this week on social media in a light-hearted run and Jurgen Klinsmann-style dive across the wet playing surface at SportsDirect.com Park, indicating there are few lasting concerns over his injury status ahead of the Blades' arrival.

Ryan McLaughlin misses Saturday's game due to his call-up to the senior Northern Ireland squad ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Norway at Windsor Park on Sunday (7.45pm kick-off). His place could be taken by Josh Law.

Also involved in Michael O'Neill's squad in Blades left-back and former Athletic loanee Daniel Lafferty.

He has been called up after initially only being on the standby-by list. That is despite Michael O'Neill's stated reluctance to turn to the defender so as not to derail the Blades' title push - a courtesy not extended to Athletic and the fight against the drop with key figure McLaughlin.

"With Daniel doing as well as he is and Sheffield United going well in their league, I didn't think it was right to name him, but he is on standby," O'Neill said, before the change of heart to bring in Lafferty.

While Vale's defeat last night was undoubtedly beneficial to Athletic's battle against relegation, Sheridan has consistently stayed focused on his own side's task with seven games remaining.

"We just have to look after ourselves," Sheridan said after the 1-1 draw at Peterborough. "Get three points against Sheffield United and we are back on that two points a game trail.

"It's going to be really tight."