Ryan is ready

TIME FOR ACTION . . . Ryan McLaughlin says he wants regular football now he is fit and flying again

RYAN McLaughlin says he is ready to ready to step up and be a major player for Athletic.

The ex-Liverpool flyer turned out for 90 minutes in a behind-closed-doors 1-1 draw with Rochdale at Chapel Road yesterday, creating a goal for Brandan Glackin, and feels back at the top of his fitness.

Athletic manager Stephen Robinson is a big fan of McLaughlin's and the west Belfast prospect, whose career has been hampered by injury, is eager for action.

"I just need to be playing regularly and at the start here I wasn't fit at all, but now I feel great," said McLaughlin.

"I had no pre-season so have been playing catch-up over the past month, but I do feel fit now and want to get more minutes."

McLaughlin, who had nine games with Barnsley in the Championship two seasons ago under Danny Wilson, went on loan from Anfield last term to Aberdeen and was on trial with Rotherham this summer before Robinson swooped to land him on a one-year deal with the option of a second five weeks ago.

A full Northern Ireland international, a five-year stint at Liverpool ended coinciding with a serious ankle injury.

McLaughlin continued to receive treatment at the club's Melwoood training centre while assessing his options.

CHOICE

Having opted to reunite with Robinson, who he worked with in Northern Ireland's age-group ranks, from what he has seen so far of Athletic he made the right choice.

"I had ruptured my ankle ligaments so would not have been able to train anyway while considering where to go next," McLaughlin added.

"That happened at the end of April, so I was focusing on that and was at Liverpool a fair bit doing my rehab there.

"There were different clubs in, but I had known the gaffer here for quite a while and wanted to go somewhere I would play and get experience, back fit.

"I felt it was a good fit and I have enjoyed it so far.

"It has been very positive. We should have definitely beaten Shrewsbury and hit the post against Walsall when we probably should have won as well.

"There is a good feeling about the place and we all feel we can do well this season.

"We won't put too much pressure on ourselves, but we are aiming as high as we can."

ISSUE

Also in the side for yesterday's Rochdale draw was left-back Jamie Reckord, who played his first 45 minutes since the home draw with Walsall after returning from a hip and groin issue.

Cameron Dummigan also featured for the first half only - as did Freddie Ladapo - and is in line to be involved for the first time as a fully-fledged Athletic player at Coventry on Saturday.

Athletic (first half): Kettings, Dummigan, Wilson, Stott, Reckord, Jahraldo-Martin, Woodland, Winchester, McLaughlin, Ladapo, Glackin.

Athletic (second half): Kettings, Leonard, King, Stott, Fallon, Jahraldo-Martin, Woodland, Winchester, McLaughlin, Kay, Knight.