Latics frontman Zak Dearnley is confident his strike partnership with Danny Rowe will only go from strength to strength this season.

The former Manchester United man scored four goals in eight appearances on his return to Boundary Park last season and has now signed a two-year deal to commit his future to Oldham.

Rowe arrived in January after a prolific spell with AFC Fylde and scored three times in 10 outings before the season was cut short by the coronavirus pandemic.

The pair combined for Dearnley’s goal in the 3-3 draw with Accrington in Latics’ opening pre-season outing on Saturday and the 21-year-old is excited about what is to come when the real stuff gets under way. 

“It’s dropped to Rowey and I’ve made a few runs before that and he knows now I’m going to spin, so he’s played it through and obviously I’ve scored the goal,” he said.

“I always like to run in behind and Rowey comes in, gets the ball to feet and turns.

“He understands me and I understand him, so it’s a perfect partnership at the moment.

“We played together in a few games towards the end of last season, so naturally it can only get stronger this time round.”

It is the early days of Harry Kewell’s time in charge after replacing Dino Maamria but Dearnley has been encouraged by what he’s seen with only a few weeks until competitive action begins.

“The gaffer’s come in, explained what he wants and I’m very excited to be working with him,” he said.

“He’s brought in the structure that he wants to play. It’s exciting times, there’s new faces and the lads are all sound and really good players. I think there’s a good season ahead for us all.”