Five of Athletic’s players were injured in the reserve game on Wednesday. Steve Mildenhall (pictured) hurt his ankle after a tackle, David Beharall injured his knee, Mark Bonner sustained groin trouble, John Eyre got a back injury and triallist Steve Howey had to retire with a hamstring injury after only 28 minutes of the game. Manager Brian Talbot told the Oldham Chronicle, “It was unbelievable to pick up so many injuries in the same match. What is disappointing is they have been sustained as we prepare for our biggest week of the season when we play Peterborough away, Tranmere in the northern area semi-final of the LDV Vans Trophy and Bolton in the fourth round of the FA Cup.”