Huge week ahead

NOT THIS TIME . . . Ollie Banks fires in a shot for Athletic in the defeat at Blackpool. Report and more reaction inside.

ATHLETIC suffered both from a huge injury list and the blow of not quite getting a deal for Jack Byrne over the line before the defeat at Blackpool, but in a huge week for the club manager John Sheridan vowed he will turn things around.

Chairman Simon Corney is facing a battle against time to secure investment through Dubai agent Abdallah Lemsagam before Thursday's transfer deadline.

That could in theory release funds that would help build the squad and mitigate against the embarrassment of only being able to name three substitutes at Bloomfield Road due to injuries.

Byrne had trained with Athletic during the week and had been lined up for a loan move from Wigan. That deal didn't go through in time for the attacking midfielder to feature, but a player Sheridan is very keen on could now join - possibly on a free transfer - in time to play against Port Vale tomorrow night in the Checkatrade Trophy (7.30pm kick-off).

"He (Byrne) was involved in the practice matches on Friday," Sheridan said. "He was down to play but we couldn't have him in."

There were further injury blows late in the week and Sheridan felt that it wasn't right to flood his bench with youth team players prior to the disappointing defeat, a fifth in a row in all competitions which is a club record at the start of a season.

"Ryan McLaughlin got injured on Saturday morning and Courtney Duffus on Friday and they were both down to play," Sheridan added.

"Late in the day, you're having to make changes. The system didn't work in the first half and I tried to make us a bit tighter. I picked the wrong system, first half.

"I am just pleased at the two young players who came on (Mason Fawns and Kallum Mantack). They were direct and were two of our better players.

"We have got nine injuries. It is a bit late in the day to bring one or two young players in.

"Other people can talk about other things and how they may feel. I am just trying to worry about my team and I have to make sure they battle and work hard for me. I don't want to let the club down and the supporters down. They came in with a lot of belief this season and we just haven't started the way I wanted to start. I don't want it to drag on and drag on. Things need to improve in a lot of areas, but I'm only worried about the football pitch.

"I am not going to make excuses. Even though I had 14 players, I won't go on about it. It is what it is. I am happy with the squad I have got when they are all fit.

"So it's up to us to get them back as quickly as we can.

"But I totally understand that it doesn't look right with three on the bench.

"You get injuries in football and unfortunately, we have too many at the moment. It's difficult, but we keep plugging away. I am not going to try to make excuses to fans. They are not stupid and naive. They know what I'm like and that I will work my socks off to try to get it right. That's what I am going to do."

Cameron Dummigan and McLaughlin are unavailable for Athletic's next two games, having left to link up with Northern Ireland's under-21s and full squads respectively.