Reid impact sets poser for Dickov

FILIPE MORAIS . . . impressive against Hartlepool, but under threat following the emergence of Reuben Reid.

PAUL Dickov admits he has a selection headache ahead of Dagenham and Redbridge’s visit to Boundary Park on Saturday — and he could not be happier.

Substitute Reuben Reid’s late goal against Hartlepool in midweek has given the Scot food for thought.

The striker, signed from West Bromwich Albion, replaced Oumare Tounkara towards the end of the Hartlepool game.

But if he starts against John Still’s men on Saturday it is unlikely to be in place of the ever-present forward on loan from Sunderland.

Filipe Morais, who operated behind Tounkara, would be more likely to make way.

But his tireless performance against Hartlepool, sprinkled with plenty of flicks and tricks, may have been enough to retain the jersey.

Athletic boss Dickov said: “These are good problems to have, because it means the squad has become stronger.

“Oumare does not always get the goals his workrate deserves, but he has been ever so good for us this season.

“Reuben is not fully match-fit yet but is getting there quickly, especially after getting some time on the pitch in the last two fixtures.

“Sometimes when there is a lot of competition for places it can knock the morale in the camp, but that is not the case with our boys.

“They back each other up and it is a healthy situation.”

Dickov has urged his in-form players to avoid slipping on a potential banana skin against Dagenham.

Languishing in the relegation zone, the Daggers are seven points adrift of safety, and face an Athletic side that smashed four past Hartlepool without reply in midweek.

But Dickov was at pains to point out that despite the visitors’ precarious position in the npower League One table, they enjoyed a rare victory of their own last time out — a 4-1 demolition of Brentford.

“Dagenham have just produced a very good performance and result, which will give them a lot of confidence coming into the game against ourselves,” said the Scot.

“They are not to be taken lightly. We are expecting an extremely difficult match on Saturday.

“I told the players to enjoy the win against Hartlepool, because they deserve to, but then move on to the next one.

“The three points gained will mean nothing at all if we do not follow it up with another top performance against Dagenham.”