Latics set for Curzon Ashton
Latics continue their pre-season preparations with a friendly at non-league Curzon Ashton tonight, kick off 7pm.It comes 10 days after the first workout against top Romanian side Dinamo Bucharest which ended 2-2.
Manager Lee Johnson played two completely different line ups in each half against Dinamo, but tonight will be looking to step up the ante.
He explained: "I will be playing one team and hopefully the players will get as close to 90 minutes action as possible.
"And those of them who don't feature will play in a behind-closed doors game tomorrow."
Goalkeeper Mark Oxley will start and make his debut while striker Adam Rooney, who is training with Latics, will be on the bench.
There will also be a start for summer signing James Dayton who has shaken off a minor knee injury.
Johnson added that he has set three goals tonight from his players.
Not only does Johnson want it as a fitness exercise, but he is also demanding a quality performance and victory.
Johnson also believes it will be a tough examination.
"We are playing a top local team and they will be wanting to give a good account of themselves against a League One side," he said.
Curzon play in Evo-Stik League, first division north which is in the eighth tier of the football pyramid.
They played their first friendly on Saturday when they won 2-0 at Abbey Hey.
The Curzon side includes former Latics' trainee Chris Rowney who is still involved at Boundary Park where he coaches at the club's Academy.
Admission prices tonight will be £5 for adults and £2 for concessions.
Curzon play at the Tameside Stadium, Richmond Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL7 9HG.