Blackman to boost Latics

NICK BLACKMAN: Foot injury not as bad as was feared. Athletic

NICK BLACKMAN has given Athletic some much-needed cheer on the injury front.

The 19-year-old on-loan striker could even make a surprise return in Saturday’s Coca-Cola League One fixture at Southend United.

Manager Dave Penney revealed at the weekend he feared Blackman had a stress fracture of his foot after he sat out Saturday’s home win against Carlisle.

Blackman received a painful kick to his foot in training last week and the initial indications were that it was a serious injury.

However, hospital tests revealed no serious damage and the injury has quickly settled down with rest.

Blackman was today hoping to do some light training and, providing there is no reaction, he will step it up later in the week and he could be in the frame for a return at Roots Hall.

Since his loan move from Blackburn, which will run until at least January, Blackman has made five appearances scoring once.

The return of Blackman would provide a lift as Athletic have an injury-ravaged squad. They were so down in numbers last Saturday they had only 12 senior players available against Carlisle with six of the seven substitutes teenagers.

In contrast to the good news from Blackman, Athletic are preparing for the worst regarding fellow front men Deane Smalley and Lewis Alessandra who both need surgery.

Smalley needs an operation to repair a damaged disc in his back while Alessandra will go under the knife this week for damaged ankle ligaments.

Athletic’s team for tonight’s reserve-team match against Carlisle in the totesport.com League will be made up almost entirely of young professionals and trainees.

The match is at Hyde, kick off seven o’clock.