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Crossley a major doubt for Foxes' clash

Gavin Browne
15/10/2008

MARK Crossley remains Latics’ main injury doubt for Saturday’s big Coca-Cola League One match against Leicester City at Boundary Park.

The veteran departed last Sunday’s 4-0 win over Hereford United after suffering a back spasm, and was replaced by Greg Fleming at half-time.

Saturday sees League One’s second and third-placed teams come face to face, with Latics boss John Sheridan expecting a stiff test of his side’s promotion credentials.

He said: "We’re playing one of the biggest and best teams in the division.

"It should be a good crowd, we can go into the game confident we can beat them, but it will be a hard game.

"They’re well organised but I feel we have the quality to go out and beat them.

"It should be a good game.

"Leicester at home is the sort of game you want to play in.

"They’re a Premiership club in my eyes, so we have to respond to the Hereford victory and take that into the game.

"If we play like we did against Hereford, I think we have a chance of getting three points."

Regardless of Crossley’s fitness, Sheridan may make at least two changes from the side which defeated Hereford at the weekend.

Skipper Sean Gregan is now available having completed his three-game suspension, while Neal Eardley will return after being on duty for Wales’ under-21 team.

If recalled, Gregan and Eardley would be set to replace Richie Byrne and Kelvin Lomax respectively against the pre-season title favourites.

Under new boss Nigel Pearson, the Foxes are second in League One after winning six of their last seven league matches.

That run has seen them take 22 points from nine matches thus far, the same as leaders Scunthorpe United, but having scored fewer goals.

Meanwhile, Athletic are seeking to make a surprise move for former Blackpool and Southampton striker Brett Ormerod.

They are ready to complete a loan deal for the Preston North End man, who could celebrate his 32nd birthday by being handed a debut in Saturday’s Leicester clash.