Due to a slew of preseason and early season ailments, Oldham Athletic's manager Micky Mellon has calculated seven absences from his team.
Oldham Athletic manager Micky Mellon has admitted his side are “down to the bare bones” ahead of their upcoming Carabao Cup preliminary round clash with Accrington Stanley. The Latics face significant selection problems, with several key players sidelined through injury and no immediate reinforcements available.
The absentee list is considerable, with Kai Payne (on loan from West Brom), midfield duo Tom Pett and Harry Charsley, experienced striker Joe Garner, and right-back Jake Caprice all unavailable. Mellon confirmed that his options are essentially restricted to the group that featured in Oldham’s season opener, along with Josh Kay returning to the fold.
The injury issues stem largely from knocks and heavy tackles sustained during pre-season, and Mellon does not expect any of the sidelined players to return in the short term. This leaves him with little room for rotation or tactical flexibility, particularly as the Latics aim to progress in the cup while maintaining a strong start to their league campaign.
Compounding the problem, Oldham are unable to call upon their academy prospects for this fixture. Despite recently regaining Category 3 academy status, the club is ineligible to register youth players in this round due to technical restrictions linked to their previous academy setup. Mellon described the situation as frustrating, as it denies him the opportunity to blood young talent and bolster the matchday squad.
Nevertheless, Mellon remains upbeat and focused on the task at hand. “It’s another game that we are looking to win,” he insisted. “We’ll trust this group and do what we need to do to keep getting results.” His comments underline a determination to make the most of the resources available, even in testing circumstances.
Oldham’s threadbare squad means players may have to take on unfamiliar roles or play extended minutes to cover absences. Mellon is counting on team spirit and resilience to carry them through, with the emphasis on togetherness and discipline.
While the injury crisis is far from ideal at this early stage of the season, Mellon’s resolve suggests Oldham will not be using it as an excuse. Instead, they will aim to turn adversity into an opportunity to show character and secure a morale-boosting cup victory.
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