‘Leader’ Richie returns

Richie Wellens wheels away after scoring his 1st, and Latics 3rd, goal of the afternoon.

RICHIE Wellens is back with Athletic — eight years after he left the club.

The experienced midfielder has joined on an emergency loan deal from Sky Bet League One rivals Doncaster Rovers until January 2, 2016.

Wellens, now 35, comes into a bolster an Athletic squad looking for a much-needed boost with victory over fellow strugglers Crewe tomorrow.

“I’ve known Ritchie for a number of years and the quality he will bring to us will be invaluable,” said boss David Dunn.

“First of all he is a leader, he’s got a great character and will be a lift to the team and the supporters, so I look forward to working with him.”

Wellens made a great impression in his first spell with Athletic. Playing under the then manager John Sheridan, he made 101 appearances and scored eight goals in two seasons until 2007, helping the club reach the play-offs.

Having already featured in the FA Cup this term, he is ineligible for Saturday week’s second-round tie at Sheffield United.

The terms of the loan agreement also rules Wellens (pictured) out of the league fixture against parent club Doncaster on Monday, December 28.

Meanwhile, Dunn has been adopting a more no-nonsense approach to preparations for tomorrow’s clash.

“We’ve got to go back to basics and simplify absolutely everything, and that’s what we’ll be doing,” said Dunn.

“When you work all week and you try to relay all the messages, and it doesn’t quite happen, it is frustrating for myself.

“But like I said on Tuesday, it is important that we dust ourselves down and try to make the best of what it is at the minute.

“It’s pretty basic stuff, but certain people need to start learning, and pretty quick.

“We’re probably going to stop looking at the league table.

“We’ve got a really big fixture at Crewe tomorrow, we need to get a win, then we go to Sheffield United next week in the FA Cup.

“We’ve got to stay strong, and we’ve got to have the characters to kick on now.

Front man Jake Cassidy should be available tomorrow after finally getting over his ankle injury, while influential midfielder Mike Jones is also fit again and has trained all week

Full-back Cameron Dummigan remains a doubt, though, after he missed the Southend game with a groin problem.

Athletic (from): Cornell, Coleman, Dummigan, Eckersley, J Wilson, B Wilson, Mills, Philliskirk, Kelly, Fulton, Jones, Yeates, Higdon, Poleon, Fuller, Cassidy, Rasulo, Brown, Winchester, Dieng.