Athletic will come face-to-face with two old boys when Scott Vernon and Marc Tierney return to Boundary Park.

The pair - both products of the club's youth system - now ply their trade with Colchester United, who will take on John Sheridan's Latics on Saturday.

Vernon has been with the U's since March 2006 and has netted four times this season, while Tierney arrived at the Weston Homes Community Stadium from Shrewsbury during the January transfer window.

Tierney will visit Boundary Park as a player for the first time since John Sheridan allowed him to join the Shrews on a free transfer in January 2007.

Meanwhile Vernon left the club for Blackpool in June 2005 as part of a swap deal which saw midfielder Richie Wellens travel the other way.

Commenting, Shez said: "Scott is a very dangerous player who will have to be watched closely, while I know all about Marc as his old manager."