Loan striker’s focus: keeping Latics up

CURTIS Main (right) decided to remain at Athletic, despite Doncaster’s attempt to bring him back to the Keepmoat.

CURTIS Main never saw it coming that both clubs he is involved with would be engaged in a relegation tussle — but as it stands his only focus is on getting Athletic out of trouble.

The 23-year-old striker chose to continue working with John Sheridan - despite his parent club Doncaster’s move last month to recall him.

Since Main left the Keepmoat Stadium to get game time after a back injury, Rovers have taken only one point from nine matches. Athletic have won four times in the same period to turn an 11-point deficit into a four-point lead over Doncaster, still with a game in hand.

Rovers manager Darren Ferguson said Main’s decision to stay with Athletic left his club in an “unfortunate” position - but accepted the forward’s desire to pick up regular playing time.

For Main himself, it was an easy decision: “It came down to wanting to play football matches,” said the forward, who has played 10 games since being brought in by Sheridan for the rest of the season.

“This club has given me a better opportunity this season to do that. I’ve been wanting to play football since getting fit. It has been frustrating not playing anywhere near as much as I would like.”

Main started the season as a regular for Doncaster, the club that signed him. Injury problems meant that from September to January, Main featured only three times. But on leaving he didn’t anticipate the two clubs would be part of such a close scrap.

“It’s a real strange one,” Main admitted. “When I left the points difference was quite substantial. Doncaster has been on a pretty poor run and has ended up below Oldham - quite a big swing.”

Main has yet to find the net for Athletic, but hit the crossbar at Sheffield United, went close with a header at Blackpool and forced goalkeepers into sharp saves.

“It’s frustrating,” he said. “There have been a few chances and it’s been close. I feel I’ve been contributing while not scoring though; hopefully that can continue. It’s about winning games and getting results no matter how you do it.

“I’d like to be the one who scores some of the goals to help get those wins - but three points is paramount.”