Up and running

JAKE Cassidy is to step up his recovery from serious injury by taking part in a behind-closed doors friendly.

It has been three months since the 22-year-old striker sustained ligament damage and a fracture to his lower leg.

But the summer signing from Wolves is up and running again and is primed to be back in full-contact training soon.

While no definitive time scale has been put on when the Wales under-21 international can be expected to be welcomed back into the match-day squad, he is expected to return to action in a specially-arranged friendly over the next two weeks.

And the return of a player who started his career with Athletic in promising fashion will give manager David Dunn extra options up front in terms of his work-rate and ability in the air.

With Athletic struggling for goals, Cassidy getting back to full fitness will provide a big boost for Dunn.

Last season’s top scorer Jonathan Forte (knee) remains out of contention until around the busy Christmas period.

As for Saturday’s clash at Chesterfield — one that Athletic enter still without defeat on the road in Sky Bet League One — Dunn is “hopeful” of having some of his injured stars back in contention.

James Wilson (ankle) and David Cornell (hand) could potentially come back in at the Proact Stadium, while captain Liam Kelly is a certainty to return in midfield after serving his one-match ban at Mansfield.

That game at Field Mill ended in a 0-0 draw which disappointed Dunn in terms of Athletic’s quality while in possession.

He is targeting a more vibrant show from his men in the replay at SportsDirect.com Park next Tuesday, November 17, in order to make a date at Bramall Lane in round two of the FA Cup on Saturday, December 5.

“To be totally honest, if I was to nit-pick then I would have personally preferred to have gone for a side playing in a different division to ourselves,” Dunn said of the second-round draw.

“Sheffield United are a very big club and we know what they are about from playing against them already this season.

“It will be a good occasion for us to get there — but first, of course, we have to beat Mansfield for it to be possible.

“And I know that in the replay, we will perform better than we did at their place.”

ADAM Hammill scored a superb late winning goal as Barnsley and their under-pressure manager Lee Johnson came from behind to beat York 2-1 in the quarter-finals of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy last night.

Chadderton’s Ben Pearson scored the other goal for Barnsley, who travel to SportsDirect.com Park on Saturday week, November 21.