Evans is the danger man

WARY OF SPIREITES THREAT . . . Athletic boss Stephen Robinson faces another huge test on Saturday

ATHLETIC have been warned to be alert to the threat of Ched Evans as they bid to pick up three points at home for the first time this season.

On Saturday, Chesterfield's four-goal striker will go up against the club that came close to signing him last year in a controversial and aborted move that attracted huge publicity.

Evans, who served two-and-a-half years in prison for a rape conviction that was quashed by the Court of Appeal in April, hit the headlines again this week. It emerged that England's under-21s date against Norway was moved away from Chesterfield's Proact Stadium to Colchester as a result of its proximity to Evans' retrial which is in Cardiff next month.

But while many outsiders will focus on the former Manchester City and Sheffield United man, Athletic manager Stephen Robinson says that while he is working with his younger players to combat the attacking strengths of Evans and his team-mates, he wants his team to go out and express themselves once again.

"Chesterfield are a big side and are dangerous from set plays, with Ched Evans their focal point. We need to be aware of that and we will work on it," said Robinson.

"It will be a tough game for us, as ever in this division.

"Taking away Bradford, who are the best team we have played, we have dominated for most of the 90 minutes in every game since the opening day.

"We go into this one full of confidence and all we can do is to keep on building.

"Watching it back, against Shrewsbury we were in charge of the first half and in the second we were totally on top with 10 men.

"We are creating chances and scoring goals.

"We are also aware of switching off at the back. What you have to bear in mind is that we are talking about young players and if we had 11 Peter Clarkes then it would be a different story.

"We keep on working with those players and they will learn from their mistakes."

Reports have emerged that Athletic's chief scout Lee Turnbull could be heading back to Scunthorpe to take up a similar role at Glanford Park.

When asked about Sean O'Driscoll - who doesn't have an official position at the club - Robinson said that he still travels to the club once a week and provides useful feedback from an elevated position in the stand on match days.

While unsure how long the experienced O'Driscoll will carry on performing those duties, Robinson appreciates the assistance.

"Our friendship goes back a long way and I'm very grateful to him," the manager added.