Any two from four as Sheridan seeks goals

Photo: Alan Howarth

John Sheridan

JOHN Sheridan has a selection dilemma as he tries to find a formula to get goals for Athletic against Blackpool.

Athletic’s manager was impressed with the work of substitute Rhys Murphy in the victory at Shrewsbury. With no new striker acquired in the transfer window as he had hoped, Sheridan is left to select two of his four forwards - Jonathan Forte, Dominic Poleon, Jake Cassidy and Murphy — as he bids to improve a goals tally of 14 in as many league games at home this season.

Of the quartet, other than Murphy only Poleon has found the net at home: an equaliser against Wigan, once against Scunthorpe and another in the FA Cup win over Mansfield.

Cassidy has yet to get off the mark for Athletic and Forte, recently returned from injury, has one from a dozen showings. Murphy hasn’t netted in his last four outings but still has 12 goals from 25 appearances, including nine on loan at Crawley.

He could come into the equation as Sheridan aims to pick up his first home win, and the club’s first at SportsDirect.com Park since August.

Defensively, Cameron Dummigan’s return from injury could see him back in the side at right-back, though Sheridan may be reluctant to alter the back four that kept a clean sheet at Greenhous Meadow.

Danny Philliskirk — who has scored more goals (seven) for Athletic than any other player so far — will be playing for his new club, Blackpool.