Blackman in Latics return

Nick Blackman

ATHLETIC have injury worries as they prepare for tomorrow’s Coca-Cola League One visit to Charlton where they have not won in 21 previous visits.

Manager Dave Penney refused to reveal which players are affected, but admitted there are a “couple of niggles” which he hopes will have cleared in time for kick-off at The Valley.

Right-back Kelvin Lomax is available, however, despite it being feared at one stage he would be ruled out.

Lomax was detained in Royal Oldham Hospital last Saturday night after coming off against Yeovil at half time feeling unwell. It had been feared he was concussed, which would have ruled him out of tomorrow’s match.

However, Penney explained that Lomax was dehydrated, having been ill earlier in the week.

There is a surprise return for Nick Blackman, who is added to last week’s squad after recovering from the foot injury which has kept him out of the last four matches.

The 19-year-old striker, who has a collapsed arch, has trained for the last two days without problem.

Penney has added Blackman to the 18 players who were on duty last Saturday, but admitted he is only expected to feature as a substitute.

The squad includes midfield men Jon Worthington and Joe Colbeck, who each played half a game for the reserves at Morecambe on Wednesday.

Worthington needed match practice after his recent lay-off with an ankle injury and Colbeck, a substitute for the last two matches, wanted a game to keep sharp.

The Athletic manager believes Charlton will be in the end-of-season mix for promotion, describing tomorrow match as their biggest challenge yet.

He said: “This will be our biggest test so far. I am sure they will be up there along with Leeds, while Colchester may also have a say in it.

“We had Charlton’s game watched on Saturday and they got stronger as the game wore on at Leeds which, in front of 30,000, shows they have stood up and been counted.

“They have quality players, some of whom have played in the Premier League. It is a big ask, but we rose to the challenge here against MK Dons, and hopefully we can do so again.”

ATHLETIC (from): Brill, Lomax, Sheehan, Hazell, Gregan, Whitaker, Furman, Marrow, Worthington, Taylor, Abbott, Parker, Blackman, Colbeck, Lee, Black, Brooke, Ollerenshaw, McKerr.

Charlton have selection worries with central defender Sam Sodje on international duty with Nigeria for the World Cup/African Cup of Nations qualifier against Mozambique.

Right-back Frazer Richardson, who has a tight hamstring, only has a 50/50 chance of playing, according to manager Phil Parkinson.

And midfielder Lloyd Sam has not trained all week after being forced off at half time against Leeds last Saturday with a groin strain.