Lomax returns for treatment

FULL-BACK Kelvin Lomax is back with Athletic after picking up an injury during his loan spell at Chesterfield.

The 24-year-old damaged ankle ligaments while playing for John Sheridan’s side against Oxford, and Athletic physio Marc Czuczman is now in charge of the player’s recovery. He is likely to be out of action for two months.

Transfer-listed by the club before the start of the season, Lomax officially remains with the Spireites until his loan spell runs out on January 3, 2010.

Deane Smalley, who joined Chesterfield in the same deal which took Lomax to the npower League Two side, stays on at the b2net Stadium and made his first start in the club’s 3-1 FA Cup second-round defeat at Burton two weeks ago.

Goalkeeper Greg Fleming is the only one of the six players made available by manager Paul Dickov at the start of the season who still officially remains at Boundary Park.

Jon Worthington is out on loan at Fleetwood, as is Joe Jacobson at Accrington, Rob Purdie stays at Hereford until at least January and Joe Colbeck is at the same club on a permanent deal.

The icy weather has ruined Athletic’s fringe players’ chance to impress tonight, with the club’s scheduled reserves clash against Rochdale falling victim to the recent freeze.

The Manchester Senior Cup tie was due to be played at Hurst Cross, home of Ashton United.