LIAM DICKINSON is aiming to claim Mancunian bragging rights when Town head to League I Oldham for the third time in nine months tomorrow. The Derby County striker will start his second month on loan by reacquainting himself with a few familiar faces at Boundary Park, where Town were thumped 4-1 in March after winning 1-0 in the fourth round of the FA Cup in January.
“Coming from Manchester, I know quite a few of the Oldham lads,” explained the former Stockport County man.
“It’s going to be good to play against them, and hopefully put one over on them, and it’s certainly a good game to be going into.
“Boundary Park’s quite a compact ground, and with a decent crowd in, the atmosphere should be good.
“It’s usually a decent surface, and it’s got all the makings of a really entertaining derby.”
Dickinson, 22, will be hunting his third Town goal as he starts a stint which runs through to the trip to Hartlepool United on Tuesday, October 21.
Derby have an automatic 24-hour recall.
It’s uncertain which Oldham centre-back he’ll be up against.
Experienced captain Sean Gregan is certainly ruled out as he starts a three-match ban following his red card for serious foul play in last Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Hartlepool.
Boss John Sheridan will choose between Dutchman Stefan Stam and Irishman Richie Byrne to play alongside Reuben Hazell.
Byrne, 26, is on a short-term contract after signing as a free agent.
He has previously played for Shamrock Rovers, Dunfermline Athletic, Aberdeen and Dutch club Nijmigen.
Latics striker Lee Hughes, who missed all three meetings with Town last season because of injury or suspension, faces a fitness test on a groin problem.
Craig Davies, last season’s 15-goal top scorer, pushed his claims for a starting slot with a hat trick as the reserves beat Stockport 5-3 in the Manchester Senior Cup on Wednesday.
Welsh international right-back Neal Eardley, midfielder Mark Allott and winger Andy Liddell are competing for the captaincy.
