8th December 2000  

POSH preview

JOHN SHERIDAN could make his long-awaited comeback for Athletic this weekend in the FA Cup clash at Peterborough.

The veteran midfielder is named in the squad and itching to get back to action after four months of frustration. Sheridan (36) had minor knee surgery after the opening game of the season and was expected to recover within four weeks. He was then hit by complications, while the wet weather has also slowed his recovery as reserve-team games have been called off.

The former Eire international won't be in the starting line-up at Peterborough, where Athletic play on Sunday in a second-round tie (3pm kick-off). Sheridan's best hope is a place on the bench but, as fellow midfielder Lee Duxbury is out injured, manager Andy Ritchie is keen for him to travel. "John is feeling fitter and stronger all the time," Ritchie said.

"And he has played quite well in his last couple of games. "It's a pity he hasn't had the matches to help him get back, but he isn't far away. "We'll have to wait and see whether he gets a game on Sunday, but I've put him in the squad because I want him to be involved."

Duxbury's position will go to Danny Boshell, who replaced him in the first half against Oxford last week. Though the teenager has made only 13 senior starts, he has the confidence to step into an important role in the heart of midfield. With Paul Jones out with a fractured cheekbone, the right-back berth is set to be claimed by Barry Prenderville.

Ritchie is pleased with the Irishman's progress from a knee injury and, on what could be a very heavy pitch, believes he can add strength and stamina to defence.

Ritchie would be happy to bring Peterborough back to Boundary Park, but he admitted: "I'd much rather we beat them on the day. "We have enough of a backlog already, and fitting in a cup replay wouldn't really help the situation."

ATHLETIC (from): Kelly, Prenderville, Garnett, McNiven, Innes, Rickers, Boshell, Carss, Eyres, Corazzin, Dudley, Holt, Hotte, Allott, Tipton, Salt, Sheridan, Miskelly.

Teamtalk Oldham

Andy Ritchie sprang an FA Cup shock by naming veteran midfielder John Sheridan in his squad for Sunday's Second Round tie at Peterborough. The 35-year-old former Republic of Ireland World Cup star has played just one game all season following surgery on an old knee injury, and has been out four months. Sheridan has played just three comeback games in the reserves but Ritchie said: "I have had a chat with him and he feels he is ready. "He has done well in training and the last couple of games. He also feels stronger now. I am trying to get him back playing as soon as possible and his return to first team action will be a tremendous boost for everybody, including himself." Ritchie is delaying his final decision on Sheridan - to play him from the start or leave him on the bench. Defender Mark Hotte, who hasn't played for six games after breaking his hand, also got a late call-up to the squad. Influential skipper Lee Duxbury is missing with a hamstring injury and his vital midfield role goes to young Danny Boshell. Barry Prenderville comes in a right back in place of the injured Paul Jones, who would have missed the game anyway with a one-match ban for reaching five yellow cards.

The Latics build-up to the game at London Road has been hampered by the bad weather and they have been on grass only once all week. They are going to have a final training session on Saturday morning and then head for Cambridgeshire on Sunday morning. Ritchie is likely to stick with the 4-4-2 formation which has seen his side lose just twice in nine league and cup games and the squad is: Kelly , Prenderville , Garnett , McNiven , Innes , Rickers , Boshell , Carss , Eyres , Corazzin , Dudley , Sheridan , Holt , Tipton , Allott , Hotte , Salt and Miskelly.

Oldham's game at Peterborough is more of a revenge raid than a cup tie as the players still have painful memories of the 4-1 defeat in August. Boss Andy Ritchie insisted: "We owe them one and knocking them out of the competition would be the perfect reply. The lads will be up for this one and we won't be as naive as last time when they caught us on the break." The Latics form has also improved dramatically and they have lost just two of their last nine league and cup games. However, Ritchie knows they will have to be at their best if they are to get a crack at the big boys in the next round.

Peterborough have won six games at their place - and only three Division Two sides can boast a better record. They also have some seasoned campaigners who know how to handle one-off cup games. David Oldfield is a vastly experienced forward who has played in all four divisions of the Football League. He has seen service with Luton Town, Manchester City, Leicester City, Millwall, and Stoke before moving to newly-promoted Peterborough last March. Oldfield has more than 500 games under his belt as well as scoring almost 90 goals.
David Farrell is another who can be a threat. The 28-year-old, who began his career at Aston Villa, is comfortable raiding down either flank and has played more than 140 games for Peterborough. Ritchie said: "It is going to be cut and thrust and they will come at us. But we have improved since they beat us and we have tightened up a lot at the back. This is our chance for revenge and I want it." He added: "It isn't going to be easy because they have a good record at home, but this is a cup-tie and it will be who wants it most. "We have strung some good results together recently and were unlucky to lose against the league leaders Millwall a couple of weeks ago. "We totally dominated them in the first half and if we can repeat that, then Peterborough will certainly know they have been in a game."

Teamtalk Peterborough

United could be without their entire back four as they take on Oldham in the FA Cup on Sunday, looking for their eighth consecutive home win. Dean Hooper will miss the second round clash due to a one match suspension, Adam Drury is definitely out with a torn thigh muscle, Simon Rea is doubtful after taking a nasty knock on his ankle last weekend and skipper Andy Edwards faces a late fitness test after missing the midweek LDV Vans Trophy game with a groin strain. The good news is that goalkeeper Mark Tyler is likely to be over the adductor strain that kept him out of Tuesday's win over Luton. "It's an absolute nightmare," moaned Barry Fry. "We really are down to the bare bones. "I'll be leaving the selection to the last minute, but it couldn’t happen at a worse time, with out biggest game in ages ahead of us."

Posh are in the second round for the first time in three years and with their tremendous home record, and the fact they beat Oldham 4-1 away from home in August, were clear favourites to go into the third round draw. Now, though, it will be up to a makeshift team to try and get that far. On-loan Dave Rogers looks set to play after a tremendous performance in his first full game for the club on Tuesday and Gareth Jelleyman will keep his place after showing no adverse effects on his knee injury.
David Oldfield is likely to move to the defence, but he too faces a late fitness test, although his ankle injury is not thought to be serious. Francis Green is on stand by to start the game, after scoring in Tuesday's win, with Leon McKenzie doubtful after taking a kick on his knee last weekend.
Expected squad: Tyler (Gk), Connor (Gk), Shields, Edwards, Jelleyman, Rea, Oldfield, Rogers, Farrell, Forsyth, Cullen, Gill, McKenzie, Green, Clarke, Lee.

Official Oldham Athletic Web Site

It appears that rumours are circulating the town that Latics are to sign Burnley's Brad Maylett on loan in time for Sunday's FA Cup tie. These rumours are dismissed by the club as players must be signed at least 7 days prior to cup ties to qualify. Manager Andy Ritchie and Coach Bill Urmson have watched Maylett in action for Burnley Reserves and on occasions the 19 year old right winger has impressed but he will definitely not be joining Latics on loan today.

There have been some price changes for Latics game at Brentford on the 23rd December. There will now be no standing accommodation available and seats will be reduced in price to £13 for adults - £10 for OAP's - with children under 16 being admitted free of charge.

POSH received an FA Cup boost this morning as star defender Adam Drury declared himself ready to play against Oldham on Sunday. The 22-year-old full-back was initially ruled out of the contest because of a thigh strain sustained during the first round replay victory over Mansfield 10 days ago, but the injury is healing far quicker than anyone dared believe. Drury said: “The physio's have been working non-stop on me for days now and the difference has been amazing.“I’ve not re-started full training yet, but I’ve been doing some running and I’ve been kicking a ball and I don’t feel too bad. “We’ll probably leave the final decision to the day of the game, but I feel fine and I want to play if at all possible. Anyway it’s my right leg that’s a problem and I hardly ever use it during a match!”

Posh manager Barry Fry was naturally delighted to receive the news, although he stressed the final make-up of his side will not be determined until Sunday morning. Fry said: “It’s amazing how well Adam has recovered and all credit to the physio's who have been working round the clock to get him right. “He’s not a definite starter, but he’s certainly a lot closer to selection than he was a couple of days ago. “Obviously he’ll walk straight back into the side as soon as he is fully fit because he must be one of the best full-backs in the lower divisions never mind our squad. “Most of the injured players have been doing some work with the exception of Tony Shields who now has a badly infected toe.”

Skipper Andy Edwards and centre-back partner Simon Rea are others to make good progress on the injury front this week as Fry battles to avoid fielding an inexperienced back four for a game he describes as the most important of the season so far. Matthew Gill looks certain to start at right-back in place of the suspended Dean Hooper, while teenager Dan Murray and on-loan Dave Rogers are on stand-by to fill the centre-back places. Fry said: “Making progress in the cup is good for morale and confidence and that makes this game very important indeed. If we can reach the third round and draw a big club it would give everyone from the chairman to the players a huge lift. “We’ve also got two massive derby matches straight after the cup tie and I’d love to go into those games on a huge high.

MATTHEW Gill is one of the bubblier Posh personalities so it takes a lot to get him down. But the 20-year-old admits to feeling a little low in the summer after watching his manager Barry Fry appear to try and sign every living midfielder. Gill, a star performer at the heart of the all-conquering Posh youth team of 1996-97, had made 28 first-team appearances in his second year as a professional, watched that drop to 20 games last season, but last Tuesday’s LDV Vans Trophy match with Luton marked his first start of the entire campaign.  It’s not an ideal situation for a youngster determined to make his mark at a club he’s served faithfully for four years, but a door has finally opened and Gill is determined to step through.

He’s expected to start Sunday’s key FA Cup tie with Oldham in the right-back position thanks to a suspension to Dean Hooper and an injury to Richard Scott. Gill said: “It was beginning to bother me that I seemed to be playing less and less, but the management staff have been so positive about my situation that I never got round to feeling I had absolutely no chance of playing.
“Obviously competition for places in midfield is really severe as Barry Fry has signed some good players, but my attitude now is to knuckle down and treat it as a bigger challenge. “In fact coach Wayne Turner pulled me over the other day and said it would do me no harm playing at full-back because it can only help having another string to my bow.  “And it’s working for now at least. It looks like I’ll be playing on Sunday and I can’t wait because it’s such a big game. Full-back’s a bit different to what I’m used to, but I’ve been playing OK there in the reserves so I’m confident of doing a job.”

Gill’s potential was recognised by Fry in March when he was awarded an extension to his contract which ties him to London Road for another three seasons after this one. And despite the lack of first-team activity, he has no regrets about agreeing to sign.
Gill added: “I actually approached Barry as I was looking to buy a place to live and he agreed to redo my contract straight away which is typical of him really.  “He believes in looking after his players which is why the youngsters are always happy to sign for him.”  Gill knows what riches can lie ahead for young footballers of his promise. He had dinner with Spurs pair, and former Posh youth team mates Matthew Etherington and Simon Davies, this week. He was their equal once and if patience, dedication and the ability to play in more than one position proves a reliable guide, he may be their equal again in the future.

RECENT FORM

AFTER eight games of the second division season, Oldham had amassed four points and three of those arrived on the opening day.  But their last 10 matches in all competitions have yielded six wins and a draw so it’s an in-form side that visits London Road on Sunday.  Oldham reached the second round of the FA Cup with a 4-2 win at Nationwide Conference outfit Hednesford.