Stockport v Oldham preview

Skipper set for County axe, ever-present worry for Latics

Last updated: 3rd October 2008

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Owen: Set to be dropped

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Stockport County captain Gareth Owen is set to be dropped for the visit of Oldham Athletic, who are sweating on Danny Whitaker.

Hatters defender Owen took exception to being substituted after Cheltenham's second goal in last Saturday's 2-2 draw and refused to shake manager Jim Gannon's hand.

His angry reaction and a lack of a subsequent apology has led Gannon to refer the matter to chief executive Mark Maguire and could lead to disciplinary action.

Gannon has said that Owen is unlikely to feature against the Latics - the club he joined County from - and revealed that Michael Raynes will assume the captaincy for the game.

Former Oldham midfielder Jason Taylor is now fit again after missing the whole of this season so far with a foot injury.

Tommy Rowe, James Tunnicliffe and Dominic Blizzard have also been passed fit, leaving Matty McNeil (calf) as the only injury absentee.

Oldham news

Oldham will make a late check on the fitness of Whitaker, who is struggling to make the game at Edgeley Park due to a knee problem.

The ever-present midfielder was the victim of a crunching tackle from Huddersfield's Jon Worthington last weekend and has undergone extensive treatment on his knee as a result.

Latics boss John Sheridan could now turn to experienced former Southend midfielder Kevin Maher to plug the gap while youngster Dale Stephens is also vying for a place in the starting line-up.

Centre-back Sean Gregan will serve the second of his three-game ban following his sending off against Hartlepool so Stefan Stam is likely to continue at the heart of the Latics back-line.

Kieran Lee is still two weeks away from fitness after sustaining a hamstring injury last week but Craig Davies continues to press his case for a starting berth after a reserve-team hat-trick.