Eyes on fresh faces

NEW POSITION . . . Rob Hunt was moved into a midfield role against Wigan. PICTURE by ALAN HOWARTH

SOONER rather than later - that's the hope when it comes to strengthening Athletic's squad, ideally before the test at Blackpool.

Manager John Sheridan has admitted to frustration over his attempts to land targets, chiefly a second goalkeeper to challenge Ben Wilson and a midfield general.

The transfer window shuts on Thursday, August 31, at 11pm, but bringing in fresh faces before Saturday's trip to Bloomfield Road would hand Athletic a timely fillip as the team bids to get off the mark in terms of Sky Bet League One points.

"We are players short. You can see that I'm playing people out of position, which is not really what I want to do," Sheridan (pictured) said.

"I am just trying to find a solution that will get us a result. We have one or two injuries and we are short on numbers and that little bit of quality.

"We will try our best in whatever way we can to try to improve and sort out the problem. We will just have to see in what ways we can get players in.

"I am looking and have players in mind. There is not too long to go before the end of the transfer window and we don't want to drag it on."

After fielding Mason Fawns at Walsall, Sheridan went with another untried route by putting Rob Hunt into a three-man midfield during the loss to well-fancied Wigan.

"I wanted us to try to play with Dan (Gardner) in there," Sheridan added. "When I play a two in there, as I have said before, I'm just a bit worried which two I play.

"We passed the ball well at times and Rob, with his energy, I thought would be useful in there. He did okay, Rob. He put a shift in for the team."

Whether or not new signings materialise before Blackpool, the injured quartet who missed out against Wigan - Tope Obadeyi, Craig Davies, Ryan Flynn and Paul Green - might all be ready to come back into the squad.

"SLIGHT"
"They are just slight hamstrings and you don't want to risk playing on those, as if they go then you can be out for four or five weeks," said Athletic's manager, referring to Obadeyi and Davies.

"They are twinges more than anything, so I will see how they are in regard to Blackpool."

Athletic have so far scored one goal in three League One outings and Sheridan is heavily focused on improving that record.

"That performance against Wigan will win you more games than you lose," he said. "But, we have to score goals.

"I would like us to work the goalkeeper a lot more. We got into areas to do that, but didn't make him work hard enough."

On the August deadline day last season, Athletic signed Cameron Dummigan from Burnley for an undisclosed fee and cancelled the contracts of Jake Cassidy and Connor Brown.