TOM CLARKE says playing against elder brother Nathan has been one of the highlights of his stint at Leyton Orient.
The pair who both came through the ranks at Town are both out on loan, with Nathan’s Oldham winning 3-1 at Brisbane Road.
“I wasn’t happy with the result, but it was good to play against Nathan,” said Tom, who at 23, is five years younger.
“We’ve done it in training matches but never competitively, and while it was a bit strange at first, I think we both just gone on with it.
“Friends were saying it was like the Klitschkos finally facing each other, but at least neither of us got knocked out.”
Even though Tom is in London and Nathan in Lancashire, the pair are close and still speak regularly.
“Nathan is in the same situation as me with regards to the need to get regular football, and I think he’s enjoying life at Oldham,” said Tom.
“He’s got Simmo (Town striker Robbie Simpson) for company, and he’s got among the goals of late, which is good to see.”
Centre-back Nathan is set to make his 15th appearance for the Latics in their FA Cup second-round tie at Southend today.
Simpson, who scored his first goal for the club in their 3-1 first-round win over Burton at Boundary Park, is in line for a 16th run-out and will be chasing a fifth goal.
Other loaned-out Town players in FA Cup action today will be left-back Liam Ridehalgh, who for Swindon at Colchester, and striker Jimmy Spencer, for Cheltenham at Luton.
Centre-back Jamie McCombe is free to play for Preston in their Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Northern semi-final clash with Chesterfield at Deepdale on Tuesday (.7.45).
