Oldham Athletic striker James Norwood will be assessed ahead of Tuesday night’s fixture against Halifax Town after picking up a knock during the 1-1 draw with Southend United.
Norwood, who played the full 90 minutes for the first time this season, was seen limping after a late challenge with Southend goalkeeper Collin Andeng Ndi, as Oldham pushed for a winner. The 34-year-old forward, who missed pre-season due to a calf injury, had only featured for an hour in his previous two appearances.
The Latics secured a draw after Mike Fondop’s second half, a result that extended Oldham’s winless run to five matches, leaving them just outside the playoff spots in the National League.
Fondop, who came on as a substitute at half-time, equalised in the 75th minute with a looping header from Dan Gardner’s corner, marking his first goal since the season opener. Southend had taken the lead in the 35th minute when Gus Scott-Morris turned in George Moncur’s free-kick. Norwood played for the full 90 minutes, and manager Micky Mellon admitted that keeping last season’s top scorer on for the entire game was a calculated risk.
“He only joined us a couple of weeks ago, so actually I’ve been a bit reckless playing him for 90 minutes,” said Mellon. “He’s not ready to do that, but he dug in and kept going.”
Mellon praised Norwood for his experience on the pitch but acknowledged the need for caution. “He’s a clever lad and knows what runs to make and what not to make, but I want to keep him available for as long as possible. Did we want him to go 90? Probably not. The boy’s 34, hasn’t done any pre-season, but he’s dug in for us.”
Discussing the knock Norwood sustained late in the match, Mellon added: “He went one-v-one with the goalkeeper. The keeper’s done what they do, lifted his studs high, and Norwood’s collided with him. I think it’s an impact injury, so we’ll see how that is.”
Norwood completed the match, but Oldham were forced into an early substitution after midfielder Harry Charsley suffered a groin injury in the 16th minute, and he will also be a doubt for Tuesday’s game.
Who is James Norwood?
Norwood began his career in the youth academies of Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace. He later represented Eastbourne Town and England Schools, making 18 appearances for Eastbourne’s senior side while still in school.
In 2009, Norwood joined Exeter City, making his professional debut in a League One fixture against Leeds United. During his time at Exeter, he had loan spells at Sutton United, Forest Green Rovers, and Eastbourne Borough. After Exeter released him in 2011, he signed a permanent deal with Forest Green Rovers.
Norwood enjoyed great success at Forest Green, becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer in the Conference Premier and helping them to their first-ever playoff appearance. After four years with the club, he joined Tranmere Rovers in 2015. At Tranmere, Norwood played a crucial role in their promotion back to the Football League, scoring the decisive goal in the 2018 National League play-off final.
In 2019, Norwood moved to Ipswich Town, where he became the club’s top scorer for two consecutive seasons. After leaving Ipswich in 2022, Norwood had a couple of seasons at Barnsley before joining Oldham Athletic.
Writer’s View
Taking a risk with a 34-year-old after just a handful of matches have elapsed does seem to be a little reckless. Norwood is going to be a key part of Oldham’s campaign, but the season isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon, and it’s okay to protect players.
Mellom is experienced and he’s managed Norwood before, so he knows the player better than anyone, but surely two lots of 60 minutes, Saturday and Tuesday, would be just as beneficial as a full 90? It remains to be seen if the gamble impacts the team selection this coming Tuesday.
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