JOHN Sheridan still believes Oldham Athletic can avoid relegation from the Football League.

Survival was the club legend’s only mission when he returned in January for a sixth spell in charge, and having pulled off the great escape twice before he was hopeful of doing it again.

But Latics have gone from their best run of the season to their worst - having traded a seven-game unbeaten run upon Sheridan’s re-appointment to a four-game losing streak as a succession of injuries and suspensions take their toll on an already small squad.

The run has left Latics three points adrift of safety going into their last 10 games, which includes tomorrow night’s game in hand at home to Sutton United (kick-off 7.45pm).

But Sheridan remains optimistic that his beloved Oldham can battle their way to safety.

“Definitely so. Definitely,” he said.

“There are plenty of points and plenty of games.

“I don’t want to keep going on about it but if we had our best team out we’d probably be getting better results, but we haven’t.

“We’re missing key players at this moment in time so I’ve just got to get on with it, stick together and people who haven’t been involved have got to come in and show that they can perform.

“I’m not someone who will try to make excuses about why we’re getting beat, they’re all professional footballers, they all want to be playing so whatever team I put out on Tuesday now has got to go out and perform.”

Captain Carl Piergianni completes his two-match ban tonight but left back Sam Hart starts a similar suspension for accumulating 10 bookings.

Christopher Missilou is also missing as he has joined up on international duty with Congo, while Harrison McGahey is nursing a thigh injury.

Sheridan added: “While there are injuries and suspensions people will be getting game time.

“We’re very short on numbers so whoever we put out has got to be ready and fight and try to get something from the games to get us out of where we are.”

Sheridan is hoping to be boosted by the return of striker Junior Luamba if not tonight for Saturday’s visit of Mansfield, with the head coach confirming that he has recovered from a hamstring injury.

“He’ll train (this) week,” Sheridan said.