Wellens is hoping for recovery of top players before clash
OLDHAM Athletic boss Richie Wellens is hoping to have Eoin Doyle and Kean Bryan back in the team for today’s Boxing Day clash against Fleetwood Town.
The duo were missing for the match against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday and it proved to be detrimental as Latics suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat.
An illness in the Oldham camp led to the absence of Doyle and Bryan and Wellens is well aware just how vital they are to the team.
“The changes against Plymouth were enforced. We had an illness which spread and got worse, and I was gutted that Doyle and Bryan weren’t fit.
“Hopefully, they’ll be back for the game against Fleetwood,” he said.
“They’re two of our best players, and we obviously don’t want to take them out of the team but if they’re ill then there’s nothing we can do. I wanted to play two strikers up front against Plymouth, but Doyle was out and then Aaron Holloway was struggling as well so we were just left with Craig Davies and we had to change the system a bit.”
ROCHDALE boss Keith Hill says his players have to put Saturday’s disappointment behind them ahead of their trip to Blackburn Rovers.
Dale conceded a 90th minute equaliser as his team drew 1-1 at home to Walsall, but Hill has told his players they have to move on.
“You can make too much of disappointment - just move on and don’t dwell. Disappointment is a big word but I wouldn’t be disappointed if I got a pair of socks for Christmas!” he said.
“You’ve got to accept the challenges - it’s hard but we’ve all got to stick together.
“If we don’t then we’re doomed, but if we do, then we’ll bounce.
“Blackburn should win the league hands down. Whatever anyone says about Wigan and Blackburn, they’re spending the best money on the best players in League One and they’ve both got teams that should be playing Championship football.”
BURY will try to return to winning ways when they welcome Rotherham United to Gigg Lane.
The Shakers are bottom of the table and are now seven points from safety following their disappointing 3-0 loss to Peterborough United on Saturday, while Rotherham are ninth in the table.
League leaders WIGAN ATHLETIC have a top of the table clash as they welcome second placed Shrewsbury Town to the DW Stadium.
A victory would see Wigan move seven points clear at the top, but Shrewsbury would close the gap to just one point if they can come out with a win.
In the Championship, BOLTON WANDERERS will try to build on their impressive 2-0 win over Cardiff on Saturday when they face Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.