Charlton back in full training

Last updated : 18 April 2007 By The Chairman
Simon Charlton is back in full training and is hoping to be fit for the game at Crewe Alexandra as Athletic aim to get their promotion chase back on course. Having missed the last five games with ankle ligament damage his return would be a boost for John Sheridan who has watched in anguish as his defence has been too generous with the opposition lately.

Shez's assistant Tommy Wright said, "We are keen to have Simon back in the squad and there's a chance of him being available for Saturday. We'll talk to him and see how he feels. Obviously a player of Simon's experience could be very important to us."

Craig Rocastle (pictured) was forced to watch the game from the bench after not being selected last Saturday and he told the official site, "It was very frustrating as we needed the win, but you always have ups and downs in football. Obviously I was disappointed to be on the bench, but it's been that sort of season for me. Whether you're in the first eleven or not, everyone feels frustrated after a result like that. We're a close unit and we're all in this together. Training was a bit quiet on Monday but it's been a really good high-tempo session today. We're a tight set of lads and we're still in there although we've made it difficult for ourselves. We're all up for every game from now until the end of the season, and we've really got to go for it. If that means playing direct or whatever then so be it. We just have to get those points. The lads know we have to win on Saturday, we can do it and everyone is up for it."

"There's lots of ups and downs in football, and we've been playing quite a few teams at the bottom who've come with a game plan to try and frustrate us, and it's worked. On another day we might have capitalised on a few of the chances we create, but the results are coming at the wrong time and that's frustrating for the fans. Earlier in the season we were nicking that important first goal, and that often opens up teams. Although we've made the job harder for ourselves, we can definitely still make the play-offs. It'd be such a disappointment if we didn't. All the lads are ready for the last three games and we know we need points."