Marrow set for Athletic recall

Alex Marrow

ATHLETIC look set to recall on-loan Alex Marrow to their midfield for tonight’s Coca-Cola League One fixture against MK Dons at Boundary Park.

Though Dave Penney won’t reveal his line-up until shortly before kick-off, it is thought Marrow will win back his place.

The Athletic manager spoke about the physical threat MK Dons will pose and Marrow’s presence will certainly add steel to the side, something he did when he replaced Joe Colbeck for the final half-hour at Southend.

It will be a dilemma for Penney, who must decide whether to change a winning team having named the same starting line-up for the last two games.

Penney said: “Tonight will be our stiffest test so far. MK Dons are a big, strong unit so we will have to make sure we match them in the battle. If we can do that, hopefully we can start to play football and entertain.”

The Athletic manager is delighted with the back-to-back wins against Carlisle and Southend which have shot his side up the league table from 21st to eighth .

Now Penney is looking for his team to build on those successes and consolidate their place in the top 10 by improving their form at Boundary Park.

Athletic have collected five points at home compared to seven on their travels, though they can address that with back-to-back home games against MK Dons and Yeovil this week.

Penney said: “We have been delighted by the way it has been going away from home as we were also unlucky not to pick anything up at Millwall and Bristol Rovers.

“I am hoping we have got things back on track with the home win against Carlisle and, with two home games coming quickly, we can keep picking up points.

“The effect confidence has can be underestimated at times, but after two wins everybody has a spring in their step and the whole place looks a lot brighter.”

ATHLETIC (from): Brill, Lomax, Sheehan, Hazell, Gregan, Colbeck, Marrow, Furman, Whitaker, Taylor, Abbott, Parker, Lee, Black, Brooke, Ollerenshaw, Rowney, Bembo-Leta.

MK Dons will be without on-loan midfield man Jason Puncheon who begins a three-match ban after the Plymouth player was sent off in Saturday’s home defeat by Leeds. He is likely to be replaced by Peter Leven.

They are also short of firepower as Sam Baldock remains on international duty with England at the under-20 World Cup while top scorer Jermaine Easter, who has scored seven goals in eight games, has missed the last three matches with a thigh strain.

To make up the striker shortfall manager Paul Ince has signed former Colchester, Reading and Luton front man Dean Morgan on a non-contract basis.

PAWEL Abbott, Athletic’s matchwinner at Southend, has been named in the League One team of the week.