TOWN defender David Mirfin is aiming to train his way into Saturday's starting line-up.

A thigh injury has kept the 21-year-old out of the first team since the 2-2 League I draw at Tranmere back on September 29.

He is desperate to face Oldham at the Galpharm in two days' time after watching the 3-1 loss at Blackpool from the bench.

Mirfin had hoped to use a scheduled Reserve match at Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday to hone his match fitness.

But the Pontin's Holday's League clash was called off to allow Town to concentrate on last night's FA Youth Cup second-round tie at Northampton, which they won 4-0 with the help of a Lucas Akins hat trick (match report Page 40).

Centre-back Mirfin, who played the whole of last week's 3-1 home Reserve win over Walsall, has been putting in extra work on the training pitch in a bid to persuade boss Peter Jackson that he is ready to face the Latics.

"I'm feeling fitter and stronger every day," he said.