Shez going shopping?

Athletic's home defeat by Millwall exposed just how thin the Latics squad is. With players missing through injuries and suspension, boss John Sheridan has admitted that he needs to boost numbers within his squad. The team picked up even more injuries during the game, and both Will Haining and Neal Eardley picked up their fifth yellow cards of the season so they will also have to sit. Haining is also fighting to get fit for the trip to Port Vale on Tuesday after injuring his shin and having to leave the field against the Lions. With Richie Wellens still out through a ban and with Sean Gregan still injured he was forced to play youngster Mike Pearson for the last few minutes of the game.

Shez commented, "Mike's showing a lot of promise for the future but it's probably a bit early for him. It looks like he's got his chance early because we're short of players. If you look at the back line that finished today's game, Stefan Stam was the oldest at 27. We're short on numbers and we've got one or two knocks as well so it doesn't look good, but we'll just have to get on with it."

"If those knocks are serious I might have to get a defender in, and and I'm still hoping for a striker. Above all, we need more experience. I'll sit down and have a think about what we need and try to get something done as soon as possible. Until then, I'll continue to work with the players we have fit."