Oldham v Sheff Utd preview

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Top scorer Jonathan Forte may be missing again for Oldham’s home clash with Sheffield United.

Latics’ leading marksman sat out the loss to Crawley because of a knee injury he sustained against Bristol City and he was set to see a specialist on Thursday to determine the extent of the problem.

Anthony Gerrard’s calf issue will be tested in Thursday and Friday’s training sessions while fellow defender George Elokobi (hamstring) is at least back on the grass and will possibly give boss Dean Holden a boost.

That still leaves Danny Philliskirk, Luke Woodland, Rhys Murphy and Amari Morgan-Smith as concerns for Holden, whose side remain marooned in mid-table.

Sheffield United defender Bob Harris is a new injury doubt for boss Nigel Clough.

Harris was forced out of Tuesday’s home win against Doncaster due to a groin injury and was replaced by Jay McEveley, who could return to the starting line-up after recently recovering from a shoulder problem.

Winger Jamie Murphy (back) and defender Terry Kennedy (groin) remain doubtful after missing out against Doncaster, but midfielder Stefan Scougall (knee) is pushing for another recall after a goalscoring appearance for the Under-21s in midweek.

Clough has no other new injury or suspension worries as the Blades chase a third straight win and their fifth in six matches.

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Oldham v Sheff Utd preview

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Oldham are unlikely to keep the same starting line-up for an eighth successive game in their penultimate fixture against Sheffield United.

Latics have kept an unchanged XI for seven straight games – a feat only achieved by three of the other 72 Football League clubs – but they will not become the first side this season to name the same team for an eighth consecutive fixture with boss Lee Johnson vowing to make changes.

Johnson revealed some of his players have minor niggles which will force his hand. And with Oldham having confirmed their place in the third tier of English football for an 18th successive season, it could give the likes of captain Korey Smith (knee) and midfielder David Worrall (groin) the chance to rest.

Winger James Dayton came off the bench to net the winner at Carlisle on Saturday so could be pushing for a start. Defender Genseric Kusunga (hamstring) and midfielder Anton Rodgers (groin) have been long-term absentees.

Sheffield United defender Neill Collins is a doubt for their clash with Oldham.

The centre-half limped out of Friday night’s clash with Port Vale and was replaced by Matt Hill. Collins remains doubtful so Hill could be handed a start.

Boss Nigel Clough has no other fresh concerns, so Bob Harris remains the only confirmed absentee as the left-back recovers from a groin injury.

Clough has indicated that he could utilise his full squad, though, as he contemplated changes with nothing riding on the Boundary Park clash.

Oldham v Sheff Utd preview

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Oldham will assess the fitness of Lee Barnard ahead of their League One clash with the Blades.

On-loan Southampton forward Barnard missed training on Thursday due to a tight hamstring and is set to be closely monitored by caretaker manager Tony Philliskirk and his staff.

Latics’ FA Cup goal-hero Matt Smith came off the bench to score his fourth of the competition during Tuesday night’s fifth-round replay defeat to Everton and could push for a start up front, although Robbie Simpson would provide a more like-for-like replacement if Barnard fails to recover in time.

Experienced defender Cliff Byrne damaged his ankle earlier this week and is set to spend two weeks on the sidelines.

Cristian Montano is back in training following a two-month lay-off with a thigh problem, but Philliskirk believes the winger needs a reserve outing before being considered for first-team duties.

Youssouf M’Changama (knee) is expected to miss the rest of the season.

Sheffield United teenager Diego De Girolamo is pushing for his full debut.

The Chesterfield-born 17-year-old, who has an Italian father, has made two late substitute appearances in the Blades’ last two home matches and in the continued absence of Jonathan Forte and Jamie Murphy, is in contention for his first start.

Forte has missed the last three games with a groin problem, while Murphy sustained a similar injury in the recent win at Bournemouth and missed out in the goalless midweek draw with Leyton Orient.

On-loan Leeds striker Dominic Poleon made his first start for the club on Tuesday night and could continue alongside Dave Kitson.

Manager Danny Wilson has no new injury or suspension worries as his side look to extend their unbeaten run to six matches and climb back to the top of the table.