Dickov to give youth a run

Paul Dickov is expected to give some of his fringe players an opportunity to impress when Oldham travel to local rivals Bury.

Last weekend's 1-1 draw at home to Preston guaranteed Latics' npower League One status for next season. James Tarkowski, who has impressed by making 24 appearances in his breakthrough season at Boundary Park, is in line to feature and could be joined by fellow teenage defender Carl Winchester. Connor Hughes, David Mellor and Kirk Millar may all come into contention in midfield, although Dickov is unlikely to make wholesale changes. Goalkeeper Alex Cisak and midfielder James Wesolowski are recovering well from shoulder injuries, but Dickov confirmed they will not be risked again this term. "Thankfully for us Alex doesn't need an operation," he told Oldham's official website. "I think it would be stupid to put him in before the end of the season. (James') situation is similar to Alex. Is it worth risking a player for the last game of the season when he has been out for 12 weeks."