Shez promises two stoppers, as well as plenty of goals

Courtney Duffus

TWO new goalkeepers will be on the team sheet tomorrow, John Sheridan has promised, while confidently predicting that at the other end of the pitch one of his three main strikers will bag 15 goals this season.

The registration deadline for new players was reached at noon today and the vacancies between the posts were due to be filled by then.

"I need two goalkeepers and there will be two in for Saturday," Sheridan said.

"I have been looking around and it is quite scary what people are earning.

"You can take a punt on a young one with really good pedigree who hasn't played a lot of league football, then you can get an experienced one who has played a lot but who has to uproot their family, who is already in a comfortable position and who don't really want to come on loan."

Dan Gardner serves the first of a three-game suspension dating back to last season, but other than Darius Osei (hamstring) Sheridan has a full squad to select from.

DILEMMAS

One of the major dilemmas he faces concerns whether to unleash Courtney Duffus up front.

The most impressive striker in pre-season, the ex-Everton man appears to have the knack of being in the right place at the right time and is rated by Sheridan as being a more natural goal scorer than either Craig Davies or Aaron Amadi-Holloway.

"Courtney is one of those players who I think will handle the physical side of it," Sheridan said.

"He has a great build to him and I do think he has goals in him.

"If he listens to me, I want him to stay up top and not worry about defending - be a threat and occupy defenders.

"It is similar to the other strikers I have got.

"They have been given that freedom to stay up top.

"I want my strikers to concentrate on scoring goals.

"And I'm confident I will have someone who will score between 15 to 20 goals this year.

"Courtney might be that one, as out of the three I would say he is the natural finisher."

Tope Obadeyi's recovery from a slight knee problem add to Sheridan's selection options amid what he feels is a strong and settled squad.

"It's about picking the right team, getting them out there and picking results up early," added Sheridan.

"If you can get results early, then it builds confidence.

"Whatever side I pick, my bench is going to be really strong.

"So I'm not frightened - whoever I put in, I have replacements who can slot in straight away."

TALKS

Cameron Stewart and Gyamfi Kyeremeh are still involved in training and talks are planned with both trialists today.

Sheridan also confirmed that his back room staff of fitness coach John Harbin, assistant manager Tommy Wright and first-team coach Richie Wellens are staying on beyond pre-season.

Athletic (probable, 4-1-2-1-2): Unknown; Brian Wilson, Clarke, Gerrard, Hunt; Banks; Green, Fane; McLaughlin; Amadi-Holloway, Davies. Subs (from): Dummigan, Edmundson, Stott, Flynn, Fawns, Duffus, Obadeyi.