In-form Croft might keep Ryan waiting

CREATING CHANCES . . . Winger Lee Croft did well when he came on against Wigan Athletic.

SIXTEEN players have arrived through the door for Athletic in 2016-17 already, but the latest acquisition might have to bide his time a while yet.

Stephen Robinson handed out 15 debuts to players in the first four days of the new campaign and also granted a first senior showing to first-year professional Kallum Mantack against Wigan.

Tomorrow, former Liverpool winger Ryan McLaughlin could become the latest new boy to turn out for the club.

The 21-year-old from Belfast is not quite ready to start against Walsall, Robinson admits.

And while the versatile Northern Ireland international may see the right of midfield as his natural home, one of the small band of players who have stayed on from last season's successful battle against relegation is showing up very well in that very role.

Lee Croft has returned to the club slimmed-down and clearly determined to prove himself all over again as a 31 year old.

Robinson has since given the former Manchester City winger a six-month contract by way of recognition.

Up against his home-town club Wigan on Tuesday, Croft replaced Mantack at half-time and repeatedly raided down the right flank to stretch the Championship side's defence, helping set up the match-winning goal from Josh Law with a clever back-heel.

His all-action approach has impressed Robinson, who could now field him from the off on the right of midfield against the Saddlers tomorrow at SportsDirect.com Park.

"I had a good look at Lee and asked him to buy into what I was doing," said Robinson, reflecting on the invitation handed to the out-of-contract ex-Norwich and Derby player to join in with Athletic's pre-season programme.

"I asked him to get his fitness levels up and he really has done that. It really showed when he came on against Wigan, with his energy and aggression.

"That was maybe something he didn't have to his game before. But he has the capability to do that and for me, the first thing I ask for is work-rate and energy.

"He has added that already. He's a big part of what we are doing. I can't guarantee anyone will start in any given week and that's the way it has to be.

"Lee is a boy we want around the place as he's a really good character. Starting or not, he brings experience to it with Peter Clarke, Paul Green and Brian Wilson within a young squad."

Robinson describes the huge intake of players as a "miracle" given the short time-scale.

One of the more notable signings - given it involved a £30,000 fee - is Ousmane Fane.

The rangy midfield man has arguably been Athletic's best player across successive starts and his manager admitted he has been impressed with the ex-Kidderminster man.

"Oz is our surprise package and we probably didn't envisage throwing him in this early," added Robinson.

"He does things that other midfielders don't do. He breaks up play brilliantly and with legs that seem to go on forever, he seems to be in the right place at the right time.

"There is a lot of improvement in him on the ball but we have got high hopes for him. He won't play every single game but he has good people around him in Paul Green and Ryan Flynn."