Flynn in line for recall?

Photo: Alan Howarth

ON THE RUN: Athletic's Ryan Flynn (right).

RYAN Flynn could come back into the equation as Athletic aim to sharpen up further tomorrow.

The creative midfield man missed the midweek defeat to Burton with a slight Achilles worry, but it's hoped that he will be back in time for the game at Walsall.

Manager John Sheridan is also aiming to have Belgian winger Gyamfi Kyeremeh among his options from the bench, should international clearance come through in time.

"Fitness-wise, Gyamfi is still a bit behind the lads and he needs to catch up

"He has settled well and it's disappointing he wasn't here in time for the Burton game, but hopefully he will be free to be involved at Walsall."

Two games in to 2017-18, Sheridan has to make a big decision on the shape of his side to take to the field at the Banks's Stadium.

A move to three at the back could see Flynn adding to a midfield duo of Paul Green and Ousmane Fane and Athletic going like-for-like with a Saddlers side also now likely to move to 3-5-2.

Up front, Craig Davies scored from the penalty spot against Burton and could be given the nod to start ahead of Courtney Duffus, while Ryan McLaughlin's good form should see him in as a right wing-back in place of Cameron Dummigan.

Darius Osei is a candidate to step back onto the substitutes' bench after resuming training this week following a hamstring strain picked up in pre-season, while Dan Gardner serves the final game of his three-match ban picked up after a red card for Chesterfield on the final day of last term.

Sheridan also had words of encouragement for young play-maker Mason Fawns, who made his first-team debut in the dying embers of the Burton game.

The 18-year-old first-year professional has been working hard behind the scenes and has caught the eye of Sheridan.

"Mason has done really well in training and I like his attitude," Sheridan said of the former Failsworth School pupil and Blackburn Rovers prospect.

"He has some cockiness about him, which I like, and he's pushing for possibly getting a game.

"He is nice and bright in training and he hasn't done himself any harm at all.

"He is a clever player who can play anywhere in the middle of the park and possibly in the 'hole' behind the striker.

"I like the way he trains. He has good enthusiasm and he looks like he enjoys playing football and that's what I like as a player.

"He's only a young lad, but he's working hard and doing alright."

Athletic (probable, 3-5-2): Ben Wilson; Brian Wilson, Clarke, Gerrard; McLaughlin, Green, Flynn, Fane, Hunt; Amadi-Holloway, Davies. Subs not used: Dummigan, Edmundson, Stott, Banks, Kyeremeh, Osei, Duffus, Fawns, Obadeyi.

Weekend fixtures in Sky Bet League One (all 3pm kick-offs) -

Tomorrow: AFC Wimbledon v Shrewsbury; Blackburn v Doncaster; Blackpool v MK Dons; Bristol Rovers v Peterborough; Gillingham v Bradford; Northampton v Fleetwood; Oxford v Portsmouth; Plymouth v Charlton; Rochdale v Scunthorpe; Rotherham v Southend; Walsall v ATHLETIC.

Sunday: Wigan v Bury.