New lease of life

OLLIE BANKS . . . the midfield man will be a key figure against Sheffield United on Saturday

ATHLETIC'S renaissance men could play a major part in helping the club overcome the odds and topple leaders Sheffield United.

The trio of Ollie Banks, Paul Green and Lee Erwin have all found themselves on the fringes of the side during the course of their first seasons at SportsDirect.com Park.

But all three have come to the fore to shine at the right time under the watch of boss John Sheridan.

Banks has made eight of his 18 starts this term in Athletic's last nine outings, missing the other one due to illness. The scorer of the match-winning goal against Charlton set up Lee Erwin's opener in the draw at Peterborough and is set to continue to be a key figure against the Blades.

Green became a peripheral figure as his form took a dip mid-season, but has since come back strongly, the veteran starting in each of the last seven games and proving to be an essential cog in Sheridan's machine.

And Athletic, who are 6-1 shots at the bookies to beat Chris Wilder's title-chasers on Saturday, will look to Lee Erwin to continue in his rich vein of form to help upset the applecart.

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The Scot has netted four goals in his last four outings, the last three of which have been one-touch poacher's efforts of the sort the club have been badly missing this season.

"He has got a bit of confidence back and that is what needed up front," said Athletic goalkeeper Connor Ripley of Erwin's hot streak.

"I'm happy for Lee. He deserves the goals and he has worked hard for them.

"We need someone to be scoring goals like he is and it's what we have struggled with all season.

"Hopefully, they will continue to come at the right time to help us get the points on the table."

After Sheffield United, Athletic travel to sixth-placed Southend a week later and then face the teams sitting second (Bolton) and third (Fleetwood) on home soil.

Striker Aaron Amadi-Holloway, who is a doubt for Saturday with a hamstring injury, reckons that the conditions at SportsDirect.com Park can continue to work in the club's favour.

"It is a massive plus for us that three of those games are at home," he said. "I think our pitch can make a massive difference as it is difficult to play passing football on it.

"We have played to the conditions of the pitch better than anyone."