Band of brothers

ACTION . . . Josh Law is set play his part against Southend tomorrow

THE LAW brothers, Josh and Nicky, are bidding to help each other out as the Sky Bet League One promotion and relegation issues reach a head.

Athletic's Josh is set to feature again at Southend tomorrow, having laid on an assist in the 1-1 draw with Sheffield United on his return to the first team.

And a victory for John Sheridan's men would be very happily greeted by elder brother Nicky, a midfielder in a Bradford side currently three points clear of the Shrimpers having played a game more.

Further favours can be exchanged, too. Athletic are at home to third-placed Fleetwood a week tomorrow, the same day as Bradford, in fifth, travel to relegation-threatened Bury.

Six more points between now and the last weekend should make Athletic safe, leaving a relatively pressure-free run-in to a campaign which culminates with a trip to AFC Wimbledon.

"For Bradford, we are playing everyone in and about them and so he will be hoping we win as well," said Josh, whose last start for Athletic before the Blades game was at Swindon in mid-February.

"They are huge games and at this stage of the season, there are not many teams who are not involved in some issue, be it promotion, the play-offs or relegation.

"We want to get those wins that we need so that going to Wimbledon, you are not going to be part of the drama of that day.

"But if it does come to that, then of course we will go there to get the job done."

Josh admits to having half an eye on redemption when the Fleetwood game comes around.

It was his own goal, sliding in to try to block off a cross, that earned the Cod Army a 1-0 win in the final minute of the sides' clash on New Year's Eve.

"That was a horrible moment for me, obviously," he said.

"But whoever has beaten us, we always want to try to get one over on them next time around."

And to those outside the club who look at Athletic's upcoming games and wince - automatic promotion-chasing Bolton are next after Fleewtood - Josh says being cast as underdogs is a role the dressing room is comfortable with.

"We are quite good at dealing with those expectations," he said.

"In the next three games people will look at the fixtures, think that we have a tough run-in and write us off.

"But we have proven lately with our form we are capable of beating anyone. We go in to these games with confidence."

* Tomorrow's Sky Bet League One fixtures (all 3pm kick-off) - Bolton v Chesterfield; Bradford v Walsall; Bristol Rovers v Shrewsbury; Fleetwood v Swindon; Millwall v Scunthorpe; MK Dons v Gillingham; Peterborough v Charlton; Port Vale v AFC Wimbledon; Rochdale v Northampton; Southend v ATHLETIC.