Smalley boosts Latics

DEANE SMALLEY warming up last night.

DEANE SMALLEY made an unexpected return to action last night in an impressive reserves victory over a strong Bolton Wanderers side.

The 21-year-old was given the go-ahead to resume training earlier this month after being told that the damaged disc in his back did not require surgery.

Such has been his progress since, Smalley was able to play the last 23 minutes from the bench in the second team’s 2-1 Manchester Senior Cup win over the Premier League side and set up the winning goal for Ryan Brooke.

“The specialist was pleased with the way he has progressed and after playing for 20 minutes in a private friendly last week he was given the go-ahead for last night,” said Athletic chief executive Alan Hardy.

“I spoke to him after the game and he came through fine, though understandably with a bit of tightness after not playing for so long.”

Nick Blackman scored the opener at Ewen Fields just before half-time, equalised by Bolton’s Danny Ward with 15 minutes left, before Brooke popped up with the winner four minutes later.

Smalley was a late call-up to the reserves side in place of Chris Taylor, who it was felt wouldn’t benefit from a second game inside three days as he makes his own comeback from illness and injury.

Meanwhile, Athletic expect be in a position to confirm today whether the home FA Cup first round tie against Leeds United has been selected for television coverage.

Chief executive Alan Hardy spoke with the FA, Leeds officials and the police yesterday in order to finalise arrangements for the Boundary Park clash and is hopeful the game will be screened live.

The tie — which has been designated an all-ticket affair — will take place at some point on the weekend of Saturday, November 7, possibly with an early kick-off time.

Leeds supporters have been allocated the whole of the Leesfield Developments Stand and normal matchday prices will apply.

Gate receipts are split 50-50 between the two competing clubs in the first two rounds of the Cup, after which point the FA takes a 10-per-cent cut.




MANCHESTER United defender Wes Brown has warned his young team–mates they face a test of character against Barnsley at Oakwell tonight in the Carling Cup.



Manager Sir Alex Ferguson will ring the changes for the fourth round match with a Barclays Premier League fixture in mind on Saturday when they entertain Blackburn.

He will hand a debut to Gabriel Obertan, three months after the 20–year–old midfielder arrived from Bordeaux. Obertan has proved his fitness following a back injury in three games for the reserves.

Danny Welbeck – who scored the winner against Wolves in the last round – Darron Gibson, Federico Macheda and the Da Silva brothers Rafael and Fabio could all be involved.

Brown knows United will have to be fully focused if the Coca–Cola Championship side are to be despatched on their own ground.

He said: “When you go away to small ground, a tight area, it is a completely different game. They get stuck in, they are rattling and it can throw you.”

Brown is expected to start in place of Rio Ferdinand.