Wham bam!

RARING TO GO . . . Athletic front man Courtney Duffus

ATHLETIC fans will get their first glimpse of Courtney Duffus at Accrington tomorrow, with the young striker confident that his new manager will help him realise his rich potential.

Duffus (21) sat out the midweek draw at Curzon Ashton after warming up with the rest of the Athletic squad but should feature at the Wham Stadium.

"Hopefully, after a good week of training Accrington will be my first game," Duffus said, after signing a two-year deal with an option for a further year. "I just don't want to risk any injury."

Duffus missed a week's training while the deal that saw him swap life at Everton for Athletic was concluded in exchange for an undisclosed fee.

He is among a roster of forwards including Tope Obadeyi, Aaron Amadi-Holloway, Craig Davies, Darius Osei and first-year professional Mason Fawns.

Having got past a serious knee injury and a recurring hamstring problem to play a full year for Everton's under-23s, Duffus wants to have an impact on Sheridan's selections come two weeks' time.

"My aim is first-team football and that's what I have come here to do," added Duffus, who scored for Everton's academy side in a 6-1 win at Flint Town United earlier this month.

"I had been pushing to get out and experience first-team football for eight or nine months. I want to show what I can do at senior level.

"GREAT FEELING"

"League One is a good division, especially this year with the clubs that are in it.

"I had a chat with the manager and got a great feeling from him. I think he will get the best out of me."

Jamie Stott (ankle) and Fawns (dead leg) both sustained knocks in the first half of the 1-1 draw at Curzon Ashton and were both being checked out this week by medical staff.

There could be further opportunities for the three trialists who played at Curzon Ashton. Goalkeeper Niklas Bolten and winger pair Enoch Andoh and Reagy Ofosu have continued training with Athletic.

Midfield man Dan Gardner (knee) is set to return at Accrington after missing the midweek outing with a slight knock to a knee.

"It will be another good test against a good footballing side," Sheridan said of tomorrow's clash, the last of the away friendlies ahead of back-to-back home matches against Girona and then Manchester United's reserves.

"We are up on who we are playing and I would like to start getting results, keeping clean sheets and scoring goals. That brings confidence to the team whoever you are playing and whether it's a friendly or not."