Purdie targets Latics return

Rob Purdie

ATHLETIC’S Rob Purdie has set himself an ambitious comeback target on his return from injury.

The 26-year-old utility player is aiming to be ready for a call-up to the senior squad for the home Coca-Cola League One game against Carlisle United on Saturday week.

That assumes Purdie has no reaction following his return to full-time training after his long-term pelvic problem.

Purdie, who is equally at home in a number of defensive and midfield positions, only resumed full-scale training on Monday having been out since the week in June when manager Dave Penney ordered his players back early from the summer break.

The next hurdle for Purdie will be his first competitive match, which is set for next Wednesday when the reserves, or development squad as they have become known, play Tranmere Rovers at Cammell Laird in the totesport.com League.

Purdie said: “My first full day’s training went fine and was pain free which was a relief. All I suffered was a big blister on my foot!

“I hope to have a reserve-team match next week and then feature on the bench against Carlisle.”

Joe Jacobson played his first competitive match of the season last night, appearing for 45 minutes for the reserves in a 2-1 defeat inflicted by Wrexham at Hyde.

The former Wales under-21 international, who sustained a pelvic injury pre-season, appeared to come through unscathed and there is a possibility he could be involved in Saturday’s league game at Bristol Rovers.

Full-backs Kelvin Lomax and Paul Black, who have both also recovered from injury, also returned to action at Ewen Fields.

Athletic found themselves 2-0 down after half an hour through goals from Adrian Cielewicz and a penalty by Lamin Sakho, but halved the deficit 15 minutes from time with a Kirk Millar header.




Tony Owen, Athletic’s head groundsman, is leaving Boundary Park for a new career as he is to become a lecturer in horticulture at Burnley College.



Owen has vast experience gained working at the All England Tennis Club and for Crystal Palace, Arsenal and Bolton.