Reid back in the firing line

Reuben Reid

FORGOTTEN man Reuben Reid finally returns to the fray tonight in Athletic reserves’ Lancashire Senior Cup quarter-final at Accrington Stanley (7pm kick-off).

The striker made a flying start to the season after building up his fitness in the summer, only for his progress to be curtailed by a torn thigh muscle in the televised npower League One victory over MK Dons in October.

After kicking his heels on the sidelines for the best part of three months, Reid (23) resumed full training last week and is one of five substitutes for tonight’s game at the Crown Ground.

With first-team games coming thick and fast thanks to their Johnstone’s Paint Trophy exploits, a fit and firing Reid would provide welcome competition for the likes of fellow forwards Shefki Kuqi and Robbie Simpson.

Before suffering his injury, he had formed a promising eight-game partnership with Kuqi which inspired four victories and two draws.

Up until his untimely exit on that wet and windy night against MK Dons, Reid was the club’s top scorer, with five goals to his name.

Regaining match fitness is the next step and reserve-team manager Lee Duxbury could hand Reid a second-half run-out tonight.

Dean Bouzanis, Paul Black, James Tarkowski, Matt Smith and Filipe Morais — all substitutes in the 5-1 FA Cup defeat at Liverpool — all start the match.

Athletic reserves: Bouzanis, Winchester, Black, Bembo, Tarkowski, Carr, Millar, Mellor, Smith, Brooke, Morais. Subs: Hughes, Connor, Reid, Parkes, Burns.

Meanwhile, loanees Nathan Clarke and Andreas Mancini have returned to parent clubs Huddersfield Town and Manchester City respectively.

While Athletic officials are still working on deal to bring back centre-half Clarke, they have confirmed winger Mancini will not be returning to Boundary Park.

The Italian — son of City manager Roberto — arrived with compatriot and team-mate Luca Scapuzzi in November, but failed to make an impact during his two-month stint.

ATHLETIC’S Johnstone’s Paint Trophy second-leg showdown with Chesterfield at Boundary Park takes place on Monday, January 30 (7.45pm).