Preston North End goalkeeper Chris Neal made his debut for the Latics in their friendly at Southport. He was hoping to impress with a view to taking a loan deal at Boundary Park for the coming season. As it happened he didn't have much to do, although he made a nice save from a 30-yarder which he tipped onto the post. The only other real action was when he should have claimed a cross but he hesitated and let it go across the goal. He will remain at Boundary Park for the rest of the week and will take some part in Fridays visit to Shrewsbury. Neil has only made one senior appearance for Preston but played six games out on loan at Tamworth last season.
North End boss Paul Simpson felt it would be beneficial for Neal to accept the offer from Oldham as he currently has Andy Lonergan and Carlo Nash both vying for the number one jersey. Simpson said, "Chris needs games, even if nothing more comes of it, he will be getting two more games this week than he would have got here."