Wait goes on for Reckord

JAMIE RECKORD . . . seeing specialist

JAMIE Reckord won't be ready to return to action for Athletic this weekend, as manager Stephen Robinson aims to right some perceived wrongs against Chesterfield.

"He still has a problem with his hip-stroke-groin," Robinson said of the 24-year-old left-back,who has been missing for the last six games through injury.

"We are waiting to see what the specialist has to say on it, but we think it's a niggle rather than anything serious."

Ousmane Fane is another who won't play against the Spireites at SportsDirect.com Park, due to a one-match ban incurred due to his red card in the controversial defeat to Shrewsbury.

That apart, Robinson has no other issues in his squad - Calaum Jahraldo-Martin could come back into contention on Saturday after working back from a strained hamstring - and in the lead-up to that contest, Athletic's players will get a rare chance to hone tactics on the training ground.

"Nine games in a month is really tough and so we gave the players Sunday and Monday off to have a break," said Robinson.

"We have a few boys who are living a fair way from home so it gives them a chance to get back and re-charge the batteries.

"Up to this point in the season, we have not had too much chance to get on the pitch to work on things. It has been mainly recovery and looking at it through video analysis.

"This week gives us the opportunity to cement down a few things on the training ground."

Andy Haines, who turned down two strong Athletic penalty appeals in the 3-2 Shrews defeat, has not been given a game to referee this weekend. Instead, he has been demoted to fourth official duties for the Championship for the Elland Road derby between Leeds and Huddersfield.

"Over the period of a week, decisions have probably cost us six points," Robinson said.

"The referee assessors from both games have told us that we have had two blatant penalties turned down against Shrewsbury and another one against Bradford.

"It is hard to take because of the work we have put in to those games and the way we have played.

"But the simple fact is that we have to get on with it now. There is no need for us to make wholesale changes, we know that."

Cameron Dummigan played the full game for Northern Ireland's under-21s last night in their 2-0 defeat to Macedonia in Skopje.

Dummigan is due to return to training with Athletic on Friday and could be involved against Chesterfield.