JOHN Sheridan has warned any Latics fans to guard against complacency as the Latics travel to Hereford United on Saturday.

On paper at least, a game pitching a team comfortably in the top six against a side battling to avoid the drop would look to be one-sided.

There is also the matter of Latics’ comfortable 4-0 win over Hereford earlier in the season, when Lee Hughes, Andy Liddell and Daniel Jones wrapped up the three points with 36 minutes gone, before Danny Whitaker’s late strike.

Despite their lowly league position, Hereford’s home form has seen them take three wins and four draws from 11 games at Edgar Street.

Sheridan said: "I’ve seen Hereford in action and they’re a hard team to play against.

"It’ll be a hard game and I’ll be going there wary of them, but I’ll be going there, trying to win the game.

"Touch wood, we’re keeping clear of injuries and long may that continue."

Hereford’s last two games against Leeds United and Scunthorpe United were victims of the recent freezing weather, leaving them without a game since losing 2-1 at Leicester City on December 28.

Sheridan should be able to welcome back Kieran Lee to his squad provided the midfielder recovers from the flu which kept him out of the 2-1 win over Hartlepool United on Monday.

Deane Smalley will be hoping his second goal of the season is enough to keep him in the starting XI ahead of Andy Liddell, while Dean Windass can look to build on his impressive debut after signing on loan from Hull City.

The veteran, who has the option of another year’s stay at Boundary Park come the end of the current campaign, was denied by the woodwork on two occasions.

Nevertheless, he was happy just to be playing again having barely figured during the Tigers’ maiden Premier League campaign.

He said: "I just want to enjoy my football, that’s what Shez (Sheridan) has told me to do.

"I love the game, I love my job and I don’t need the money – I just want to carry on playing as long as I can because you’re a long time retired.

"Coaching and management will come but I want to try and help Oldham get to the Championship and see what happens.

"It always frustrates you when you don’t play football but I’ve got 90 minutes under my belt, so hopefully I’ll get fitter and get a few goals."

Sheridan is in no doubt as to what his latest signing can offer the club after a career which has seen Windass feature in the top flight for Hull, Middlesbrough and Bradford City, as well as the Scottish Premier League for Aberdeen.

He said: "You can see the quality Dean’s got. He gets in areas and creates space for himself and I’m sure we’ll benefit from him and he’ll make us a better team."