Latics hope for a double boost

ALAN SHEEHAN: Close to a return for Athletic

ATHLETIC hope to have injured duo Alan Sheehan and Andy Holdsworth available for Saturday’s Coca-Cola League One fixture at Brighton.

And their return will help compensate for the loss of Jon Worthington, who was badly injured against Southampton and will miss the trip to the South Coast.

Left-back Sheehan has been ruled out of the last two matches with an ankle injury picked up Yeovil at the beginning of October.

He only just missed out on Saturday and Athletic expect him to be available to play against the Seagulls.

The versatile Holdsworth hasn’t been available for the last six matches due to a knee injury picked up in the defeat at Bristol Rovers.

Holdsworth, whose knee had been inflamed, is back in full training and on course to return at the Withdean Stadium.

The availability of Sheehan and Holdsworth will offset the loss of Worthington, who could be out for some time.

There is no break to his left ankle, but it is feared there is ligament damage - though that will not become clear until the swelling goes down so a scan of the injured joint can take place.

Athletic have loaned teenage central defender Liam Dawson to UniBond League premier division club Nantwich Town.

Dawson had been set to join the Dabbers earlier this season only to break his hand in training with Athletic which scuppered his move to the Weaver Stadium.

Now fully recovered, Dawson joins the Cheshire club as they look to strengthen their squad in pursuit of promotion.


LEEDS moved back to the top of Coca-Cola League One last night as an injury-time goal from Jason Beckford gave them a 2-1 home win over Norwich.


MOSSLEY have another long journey after being drawn away to Northamptonshire side Brackley Town in the second qualifying round of the FA Trophy. The match against the premier division side from the Zamaretto League takes place on Saturday, October 31.