LEAGUE Two Player of the Month Sam Surridge is facing a race against time to be fit for tomorrow’s intriguing encounter with Carlisle United at Boundary Park.

The 20-year-old, who scooped the division’s top gong for September yesterday – it was only officially revealed this morning – missed the goalless draws at Mansfield and Swindon this week with a hip complaint.

Surridge said: “I’m happy to get the award and to have scored a few goals in September.

“I want to thank the manager and the other players who have helped me, without them this wouldn’t have happened.

“Hopefully I can continue to keep scoring as well as helping the team pick up points.”

The dynamic frontman, on a season-long loan from Bournemouth, scored five goals in four league games throughout September and has seven in all competitions for the campaign.

He was up against three nominees for the accolade in Colchester striker Luke Norris, Lincoln defender Jason Shackle and Exeter right-back Pierce Sweeney.

Latics boss Frankie Bunn didn’t seem unduly worried about Surridge’s fitness ahead of tomorrow’s match and accepts injuries are part and parcel of being a young footballer.

He said: “It’s just a knock, so it’s not a massive concern. He’s still growing. He’ll be there or thereabouts – we’ll have to see how he is.”

Speaking about the award, Bunn added: “His record speaks for itself, hopefully there’s a lot more to come from him.

“He has been in a side that has created the chances for him but he has put them away so he will get the credit for that.

“He is still a young player, he is still developing, but as it stands at the minute the future looks bright for him and long may that continue.”

Bunn will be hoping to resurrect Athletic’s home form when John Sheridan’s Carlisle come to town.

Latics legend Shez makes his first return to the club since parting company for a third time as full-time gaffer following a 5-1 drubbing at Rotherham in September, last year.

The former midfield maestro and manager was parachuted in to save the club from almost certain relegation in 2016 and guided them to League One safety again the following year after a brief stint at Notts County.

He remains the last manager to take the club into the League One play-offs back in 2007 and is sure of a warm welcome tomorrow – at least until kick-off.

Sheridan said: “Oldham are a good side who have proved to be very hard to beat. They have players who like to attack and we know we'll have to be on our game.”

Carlisle come into the clash on the back of 1-0 home defeats to Grimsby and Stevenage but already have three away triumphs to their name.

While results have also been good for Athletic on the road – conceding the fewest goals (just one, at Forest Green Rovers) on their unbeaten travels in all four divisions – Bunn’s side last tasted victory at Boundary Park against Crawley on September 1.

Having said that, only MK Dons and Newport have left with maximum points in the league, with the only other defeats coming in cup competitions against teams from a higher division in Derby County and Barnsley.

Anthony Gerrard, who was shown the door in the summer over alleged comments made on social media, should line up in the Cumbrians’ defence and is likely to add a bit of spice to proceedings having played a total of 69 games in two spells for Latics since 2015.

Aside from Surridge, Bunn has no new injury concerns with Jose Baxter again pushing for a place in the starting line-up.