NEW-BOY Barry Prenderville has been pitched straight into Athletic's squad for tomorrow's trip to Wrexham. The 23-year-old Irishman, who has signed a contract to the end of the season, was outstanding for the reserves in midweek and is handed his reward by manager Andy Ritchie. Prenderville has never played English league football, despite a lengthy spell with Coventry, but gained valuable experience with Scottish club Hibernian. Ritchie is keen to involve the defender in his senior side, and Prenderville has jumped the queue at the expense of Ben Futcher. Athletic need cover at the back as Scott McNiven, who usually plays at wing-back or centre-half, is sure to stay in midfield at the Racecourse Ground. McNiven was switched at Huddersfield on Tuesday night and played a vital role in an impressive 2-0 victory.

Athletic are in need of a repeat tomorrow after taking only one point from four games. They incurred the manager's wrath after last week's defeat to Notts County and Ritchie is looking for the kind of spirited display which paid off so handsomely at Huddersfield. He is set to name an unchanged side, with Prenderville, who arrived on a free transfer from Dublin club St Pat's, vying for a place on the bench. Midfield man Danny Boshell was passed fit this morning after missing the midweek match with a stomach strain.

ATHLETIC: Kelly, Jones, Garnett, Hotte, Adams, Holt, Duxbury, Rickers, McNiven, Allott, Corazzin. Subs (from): Miskelly, Prenderville, Innes, Boshell, Tipton, Dudley, Whitehall.

Wrexham were beaten 3-0 by Mansfield in the Worthington Cup this week and they have yet to take a point — or score a goal — at home. Defender Brian Carey is doubtful, while striker Craig Faulconbridge is suspended.

WREXHAM (from): Rogers, Dearden, Roche, Ridler, Roberts, Moody, Carey, McGregor, Chalk, Ferguson, Barrett, Owen, Williams, Edwards, Gibson, Sam, Killen, Morrell.

Wrexham v Oldham preview

Wrexham boss Brian Flynn goes into the match against Oldham Athletic desperate for a change in the club's woeful home form. Already Flynn has seen his side slump to two home league defeats and a midweek Worthington Cup mauling by Mansfield. To add to Flynn's problems this weekend Wrexham will be without last season's leading scorer Craig Faulconbridge, who begins a suspension after his recent sending off against Wigan. Trinidad and Tobago winger Carlos Edwards, a midweek substitute in the cup defeat, looks set to start after his World Cup duties.

Oldham boss Andy Ritchie is keen for his side to build on their 3-0 aggregate win over First Division Huddersfield in the first round of the Worthington Cup. Former Leeds, Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday ace John Sheridan will once again be missing for the Latics, as he is recovering from an operation to remove some floating bone from his knee. Canadian ace Carlo Corazzin will lead the attack having returned from international duty with Canada. Despite the midweek win, Oldham have struggled in the league with just one win in their opening five games.

TEAMtalk Oldham

Boss delighted with Prenderville

Andy Ritchie is delighted with his latest capture, Irishman Barry Prenderville, after he made a scoring debut for the reserves. Ritchie said of the former Coventry City defender: "Barry has proved he can play against top opposition and he is also keen to get another chance to play in English football." Prenderville, 23, who can also play in midfield, impressed in two trial sessions at Boundary Park and he has signed a contract which will take him to the end of the season. Ritchie revealed: "It took me a couple of weeks to get him because there were one or two stumbling blocks to get over before he could sign. "I was pleased he made such an impression in his debut and I am confident he is going to turn out a valuable asset. Dubliner Prenderville said: "I am delighted to be back with a league club and can't wait to get stuck in and establish myself with Oldham."

Paul of Ashton writes ...

I attended the brilliant performance at Huddersfield on Tuesday night. Their was a excellent turn-out from the Latics fans who really got behind the lads, This created a great atmosphere within the ground. So much so that this I am certain this gave the lads that bit more confidence and sense of meaning that they put in the best performance that I have seen for a long time. One difference that I have noticed from recent weeks is that the fans get behind the lads a lot more when we play away from home, Than they do when we are at home.

It should not be left to the same people at every game to create a bit of noise. Maybe if they rest of the Chaddy and even the rest of the ground created a bit more noise and got behind the lads in the same way as they do away from home. The lads might get that bit more confidence and sense of meaning, they might start putting in performances like Tuesday every week. So come on Chaddy lets here some more noise and singing, and well done all the travelling fans for such support on Tuesday I am sure it made a difference.

Contributions and letters should be sent to Gary Davies by e-mail at [email protected].or at Boundary Bullet-zine,41 Verney Road,Royton,Oldham,United Kingdom.OL2 6AZBoundary Bullet-zine Archive can be found at http://www.geocities.com/laticsgary.geo.The views expressed on this e-zine are not the views of Oldham Athletic F.C. nor necessarily the views of the Editor.This e-zine is a unofficial publication NOT sanctioned by Oldham Athletic Football Club.The editor will not publish any letters containing bad language.This e-zine is written using Microsoft Outlook Express and is best viewed with the HTML (rich) text option enabled.

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws