Latics play waiting game

ATHLETIC’S players were back in today for training — but the game at Walsall still hangs in the balance.

Protective covers have been placed over the playing surface at the Banks’s Stadium this week in a bid to head off the effects of the cold snap.

A pitch inspection is likely tomorrow, with Saddlers officials said to be pessimistic about the chances of Saturday’s npower League One match going ahead.

With snow covering Chapel Road and Little Wembley, Athletic boss Paul Dickov was again using his imagination for today’s training session.

On Monday, the squad took on sessions in the gym and swimming pool and then spent the following day indoors at the JJB Soccerdome on Trafford Way.

Should the game against the bottom-of-the-table Saddlers need to be rearranged, Athletic’s focus would then fall on the home match against Swindon Town on Saturday week.

Last season’s losing play-off finalists in npower League One, the Robins drew 1-1 at non-league Crawley Town last Friday night in the FA Cup third round.

Meanwhile, Athletic have confirmed that the home derby against Rochdale at Boundary Park will kick off at 3pm on Monday, January 3, as originally planned.

After discussions with the police and local authority, a decision has been taken that no Athletic fans will be seated in the Leesfield Developments Rochdale Road Stand.

Rochdale supporters will take the large section of that stand, with the small section left empty.

As with the recent Huddersfield game, Athletic fans who would normally sit in the Rochdale Road end will be relocated to either the Main Stand or the Detect All Chaddy End.

Season ticket holders in the Rochdale Road Stand are being urged by the club to exchange their tickets as soon as possible.



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