Last-day fight for places

GET IN . . . Athletic captain Peter Clarke (centre), Connor Ripley (left) and Brian Wilson celebrate after victory over Bolton

ATHLETIC manager John Sheridan isn't expecting many of his regulars to give up their slots too readily at Wimbledon.

Goalkeeper Connor Ripley can equal the club's all-time clean sheets record for a season by shutting out the Dons and fellow ever-present Peter Clarke has not missed a single minute of this season's Sky Bet League One programme so far.

Despite struggling with a persistent Achilles problem, Brian Wilson has played in each of the last four matches.

And among others, Paul Green won't be too keen to sit on the bench for only the second time since the goalless draw at Swindon in mid-February.

FRINGE

Sheridan will hand chances to some of his fringe players at Kingsmeadow and while the pressure is off for Athletic, he wants to put on a show for the 700 fans making the trip for the sell-out last-day contest on Sunday (noon kick-off).

"I know what my players are like. Peter Clarke, Brian Wilson and Paul Green won't want to be rested," Sheridan said.

"They all want to play. We have a bit more freedom, but I still want to go there and win the game.

"We are taking a few fans there and will have a good following who will be very vocal.

"They can enjoy themselves and have a good time, while we can be a bit more relaxed.

"But we are still professionals and I want to win. I know Neal Ardley (Wimbledon's manager) and Neil Cox (assistant manager) well and they are good mates of mine.

"They will be wanting to win their last home game. But we go there knowing we have done the job and I'm proud of the players for what they have done since I have come back."

Sheridan has stated he hopes to field the likes of Ryan Flynn, Lee Croft, Josh Law and Aiden O'Neill for the game.

And George Edmundson could feature, too, possibly in front of Jamie Stott.

Sheridan felt that Stott - who has played the last three games in the absence of injured Anthony Gerrard (hamstring), who remains sidelined - did well to recover from an early mistake that led to Rochdale's goal with a solid display and assist for Clarke's header.

"You learn by making mistakes," Sheridan said of Stott. "He knows and I told him that everything is quicker at this level and you are up against better players.

"He looked comfortable in the second half against Rochdale and put the ball in for the goal with pace. I don't think he wanted to take the free-kick, but I told him to. He has got a great left foot and put an excellent ball in.

"He knows he shouldn't have got too tight to his man in the first half. Hopefully next time, he will stand off and allow the player to have the ball rather than making yourself vulnerable by trying to win it on the edge of your own box.

"That's part and parcel of learning the game."

Young striker Mason Fawns, who has been offered a professional contract for next season, might get the chance to travel with the team. No decision had been made at the time of going to press.

Athletic (probable, 4-4-2): Ripley; Law, Edmundson, Clarke, Wilson; Croft, O'Neill, Banks, Flynn; Amadi-Holloway, Obadeyi.

Subs (from): Kettings, Mantack, Reckord, Stott, Fane, Green, Taylor, Ngoo, Erwin, Osei.

Sunday's fixtures in Sky Bet League One (kick-offs noon) -

AFC Wimbledon v ATHLETIC; Bolton v Peterborough; Bristol Rovers v Millwall; Charlton v Swindon; Fleetwood v Port Vale; Northampton v Gillingham; Oxford v Shrewsbury; Rochdale v Bradford; Scunthorpe v Coventry; Sheffield Utd v Chesterfield; Southend v Bury; Walsall v MK Dons.