Last Updated: Fri, 12 Oct 2012 10:48
Oldham will be without captain Dean Furman when they travel to Sheffield United in npower League One.
Furman is on international duty with South Africa and boss Paul Dickov has confirmed fellow midfielder James Wesolowski will take the armband in his absence.
Elsewhere, centre-backs James Tarkowski (hip) and Jean-Yves Mvoto (ankle) face late fitness tests, but Dickov is optimistic over their involvement after the duo stepped up training over the course of this week.
He said: "Jean and Tarky trained a little bit on Wednesday, a little bit more on Thursday and will have a fitness test with us on Friday. We're hopeful that both of them will be fit."
United head into the game unbeaten with Latics eyeing a repeat of their dramatic 3-2 comeback win at Bramall Lane last season - not that Dickov feels that result will have much bearing on events this weekend.
"The personnel has completely changed," he added. "Even if you look to the team on Saturday there were seven of them that weren't here last year. I don't think we can take into consideration what went on there last year because they've had a few changes in personnel as well."
Have you an opinion on this story? Put your money where your mouth is and claim a free £25 bet.
