Keohane set for second chance

Jimmy Keohane: on Latics’ rader

JIMMY Keohane will be given another chance to make an impression in the visit of Blackburn Rovers to SportsDirect.com Park tomorrow (3pm kick-off).

The former Exeter City midfield man is one of three trialists — Gavin Gunning and Alen Ploj are the others — who continue to train with the club in the hope of winning contracts.

Keohane, renowned as a creative midfield man, looked bright early on against Bolton and put in a couple of ball-winning tackles before the Championship club’s midfield asserted control.

Athletic manager Darren Kelly is now keen to see more of the 24-year-old former Republic of Ireland under-21 international.

“Jimmy is one to have a look at,” Kelly said. “We started with Jimmy against Bolton and after only coming in the day before. He did well in his first game since the end of last season. We’ll monitor him and make sure he gets the time needs.”

Gunning and Ploj will also feature against Gary Bowyer’s side, who last season finished ninth in the Championship and reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

Blackburn’s expected line-up is difficult to pin down, given that the first-team squad is being split between tomorrow’s game and one tonight at Tranmere. Former Athletic winger Chris Taylor may feature.