New boy Darren Byfield will make his Athletic debut this afternoon when they take on Northampton Town at the Sixfields Stadium (KO 3pm).

Byfield - signed on a month's loan from Doncaster Rovers - will partner Lee Hughes up front, while Kevin Maher steps up to replace Danny Whitaker in midfield.

Whitaker picked up a knock in training in midweek and has been ruled out, while Stefan Stam partners Reuben Hazell at the back with Kelvin Lomax included at right-back.

Latics: Crossley, Lomax, Jones, Hazell, Stam, Taylor, Smalley, Allott, Maher, Hughes, Byfield.

Subs: Eardley, Fleming, Gregan, Liddell, Alessandra.

Northampton manager Stuart Gray has named the following side:

Fielding, Crowe, Jackman, Hughes, Constantine, Holt, Hawley, Gilligan, Dolman, Dyer, Walker.

Subs: Dunn, Davis, Guttridge, McGleish, Bignall.