Bunn ready to welcome in-form U's

It’s back to the bread and butter of League Two tomorrow for Athletic as they host improving Cambridge United.

The U’s have won their last three league games to lift themselves into 19th place in the table, though they were stunned last weekend, going out of the FA Cup at non-league Guiseley.

Joe Dunne’s side then beat Colchester 3-1 in midweek in the Checkatrade Trophy.

Athletic boss Frankie Bunn is expecting another tough test at Boundary Park tomorrow.

He said: “I watched (Cambridge’s) game against Guiseley when they were four-nil down, but they shouldn't have been.

“They missed two or three good chances.

“They've hit a rich vein of form, certainly in the league, so it will be a tough game and again the league is that inconsistent that people pick points up when you least expect it.

“It'll be a tight game, I think they'll hard to break down and they've got pace on the counter, but hopefully we can produce a good performance for the supporters.”

Athletic fans will be hoping their team can build on their gutsy late FA Cup win at Hampton and Richmond, though they will be without Jose Baxter through injury.

Fellow striker Sam Surridge looks set to return, however.

Bunn added: “It's a bit of bad news with Jose, he's going to be out for six to eight weeks with ligament damage.

“It's a blow as he was just getting back into the swing of things, so it's a minor setback for him.

“Sam will be back with us today and hopefully he'll play some part Saturday if required.

“We'll see how he is.

“He’s been out for a month and we have to tailor the minutes he plays.

“We can't force him back for 90 minutes of football straight away.”

Meanwhile, West Brom goalkeeper Alex Palmer has joined Athletic on an emergency loan for one week.

The 22-year-old year old has joined on an emergency loan in the absence of Daniel Iversen, who is on international duty, and Zeus De La Paz, who remains out through injury.

The West Brom Academy graduate has moved his way up the goalkeeping pecking order at the Hawthorns in recent seasons.

He is a regular in the Baggies’ under-23 side and has appeared on the bench for the first team on a number of occasions.

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