Oldham Athletic winger Jack Stevens will be sidelined for around three months after undergoing ankle surgery, manager Micky Mellon has confirmed.
The summer signing, who arrived from Solihull Moors in July, featured off the bench in the Carabao Cup preliminary round but is not expected back until November at the earliest.
Setback tempered by returning options
Mellon revealed Stevens has “chipped a bone” in his ankle and faces a lengthy rehabilitation, describing the loss as a significant blow to the pace and balance of his forward line. The Latics boss, though, indicated that other injured players are edging closer to minutes as he tries to navigate a congested start to the season.
“He’s going to be out for three months. He’s chipped a bone in his ankle. Surgery went well on Tuesday but he’s got a long lay-off, which is another blow because he’s another pacy player that gives you legs and makes a difference.”
On selection plans for this week: “He’s not ready, we didn’t have enough subs… There may be a bit of action for them on Tuesday — maybe try to get them the first half an hour, 35 minutes to get a bit of time under their belts. We’ll try that.”
Midfielder Harry Charsley was named among the substitutes at the weekend despite being ahead of schedule in his recovery, while full-back Jake Caprice has returned to training following hamstring surgery. Mellon is considering controlled minutes for both as match fitness builds.
Vertu Trophy offers a platform
Oldham open their Vertu Trophy campaign at Boundary Park against Manchester City Under-21s on Tuesday, 26 August (7pm). With league performances still searching for consistency, the group fixture provides an opportunity to bank a first home win of the campaign and restore momentum. However, City’s youngsters arrive in strong early-season form at development level and are expected to provide a stern test.
For Mellon, the balance will be between protecting recently returned players and finding a front-line blend that can compensate for Stevens’ absence. The winger’s direct running and ability to stretch defences had been earmarked as a key part of Oldham’s attacking plan; without him, the Latics may lean more on combinations down the right and set-piece threat while pace returns elsewhere in the squad.
Writer’s View
This is harsh timing for both player and club. Stevens offered the sort of vertical threat that can turn tight League Two matches, and three months out removes that weapon just as Oldham look to settle after promotion. The mitigating news is that Charsley and Caprice are close, and a carefully managed outing in the Trophy could accelerate their readiness without undue risk.
If the Latics can tighten up defensively and find goals by committee while Stevens rehabs, this setback needn’t define the autumn — but it does raise the stakes on recruitment depth and Mellon’s rotation in the weeks ahead.
