WILY Latics forward Chris O’Grady has lavished praise on young goal-getter Sam Surridge – and says it’s not so much the old-stager teaching the young pup a thing or two . . . more the other way around.

O’Grady, 32, was full of praise for League Two’s Player of the Month who scored five league goals in four games throughout September.

The 20-year-old, on a season-long loan from Premier League Bournemouth, has seven to his name in all competitions so far this season.

Surridge is hoping to return to the side against Carlisle tomorrow having missed the goalless draws at Swindon and Mansfield with a hip problem.

O’Grady said: “Sam and myself have a good mix of youth and experience.

“He’s a goalscorer which is good and what you need in any team. I’ve been around so if I can help and support him in any way then that’s what I’ll continue to do.

“But it’s not about me teaching him a few things – it’s probably the other way around!

“We’ve got something to build on and we just need to keep ticking along.

“But even when he’s out of the side, other players are helping to keep us all on our toes with good competition for places.”

O’Grady, who rejoined the club from Chesterfield in the close-season after 10 years away, is well aware of how visiting teams set up when they take on Athletic and says it’s something they need to deal with against Carlisle.

“Teams come here and use certain tactics,” he added.

“They try to waste time and slow the tempo so we need to find a way of overcoming that.

“In our last home game against Colchester, I thought we showed great character to come back from two goals down at such a late stage which are the traits of any good team.”

O’Grady also had kind words for Bunn and said his passion for the club is rubbing off on the players.

He said: “The manager has shown faith in me, I’ve been involved in every game and that’s vital for any footballer.

“To be believed in like that really gives you that extra boost to get the best out of yourself – hopefully it’s reflected in my performances.

“The passion of the manager means a lot – I’ve seen it at various places in the past where the club means something to them.

“It’s a nice, refreshing thing to be a part of because it’s been a while since I’ve had that.

“You go on the pitch trying to bring the passion that you know he’s got on the sidelines.”

Latics are away at Bradford City in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday but the following fixture, at Notts County on Saturday week, has been postponed due to international call-ups.

Goalkeeper Daniel Iversen is on Denmark under-21 duty, likewise Cameron Dummigan with Northern Ireland, while Gevaro Nepomuceno will represent Curacao.