Shez closing in on another striker

Photo: Alan Howarth

PAINFUL BLOW . . . Anthony Gerrard receives treatment to his knee before leaving the field.

ATHLETIC manager John Sheridan expects to add another forward today as he assesses the walking wounded from the draw at Wigan..

“I am hoping I will have one in,” Sheridan said of his target after a goalless draw at the DW Stadium — a contest the visitors had the better of, in the opinion of both bosses.

With tomorrow’s vital trip to Blackpool in mind, Sheridan will today take a close look at the

condition of key centre-back Anthony Gerrard, whose impact injury at Wigan forced him off the field after 41 minutes.

“Conor McAleny and Gerrard collided and knees hit each other. It is probably more sore than a twist or

anything. We will see how he is. We need him on the pitch as he has that experience. He talks and gets a grip on people.

“He communicates with other players and never shuts up — you need those players out there. He sees things that are happening and deals with them.”

Aaron Amadi-Holloway, a bustling striker who signed on loan from League Two side Wycombe until the end of the season on Friday, was Gerrard’s replacement as Sheridan reshuffled his side - and he played

with promise.

One player who wasn’t involved at all on the day was Mike Jones, with an old ankle problem resurfacing, but not necessarily ruling him out of playing at Bloomfield Road tomorrow.

“He tried to play but is a bit sore, but I hope he will be OK for Blackpool,” said Sheridan of Jones, who sat out the Wigan game along with Dominic Poleon (leg) and Brian Wilson (groin).

Sheridan was left praising the impact of Burnley defender Cameron Dummigan for his efforts in helping combat the threat of Yanic Wildschut, on his first outing since the 1-0 loss at Bradford last month.

The manager hopes Athletic’s supporters can now share in his belief the side is capable of retaining its League One status.

“Cameron was excellent and he was probably our best player in the first half,” Sheridan added.

“The fans have seen we are a good team. We performed really well and we have got to keep up those standards.

“The support was brilliant. Hopefully, they can believe as much as I do that we can stay up.”

Shrewsbury’s 3-2 win at Blackpool has lifted them eight points clear of Athletic, having played three games more, but Athletic can pull within two points of 20th-placed Fleetwood with a victory tomorrow.

“It is in our hands,” said a confident Sheridan. “One or two results haven’t gone our way, but it was a really good performance and we weren’t lucky. We go to Blackpool to try to win the game.”