Dayton gives Latics boost
James Dayton made a speedy recovery from injury to claim a starting spot in Latics' opening Sky Bet League 1 match of the season at Stevenage.Winger Dayton had been a doubt after picking up a knock in training during the week.
The availability of Dayton meant that manager Lee Johnson was able to name the same side which kicked off last Saturday's friendly against Championship club Huddersfield Town which Latics won 3-2.
Latics handed competitive debuts to five summer signings - Mark Oxley, Korey Smith, Adam Rooney, Charlie MacDonald and James Dayton - while a further three new arrivals were on the bench.
Johnson also officially confirmed Smith as team captain as the midfield man had done the job throughout pre-season.
Stevenage's side included former Latics' players Chris Day, Lee Hills and Oumare Tounkara while Filipe Morais was on the bench.
Stevenage (4-4-2): Day; Wedgbury, Ashton, Jones, Hills; Akins, Heslop, Tansey, Freeman; Charles, Tounkara. Subs: Arnold, Morais, Burrow, Haber, N'Guessan, Shroot, Deacon.
Latics (4-4-1-1): Oxley; Brown, Tarkowski, Mellor, Grounds; Dayton, Smith, Baxter, Montano; MacDonald; Rooney. Subs: Wesolowski, Schmeltz, Clarke-Harris, Byrne, Rodgers, Millar, Simpson.
Johnson also officially confirmed Smith as team captain as the midfield man had done the job throughout pre-season.
Stevenage's side included former Latics' players Chris Day, Lee Hills and Oumare Tounkara while Filipe Morais was on the bench.
Stevenage (4-4-2): Day; Wedgbury, Ashton, Jones, Hills; Akins, Heslop, Tansey, Freeman; Charles, Tounkara. Subs: Arnold, Morais, Burrow, Haber, N'Guessan, Shroot, Deacon.
Latics (4-4-1-1): Oxley; Brown, Tarkowski, Mellor, Grounds; Dayton, Smith, Baxter, Montano; MacDonald; Rooney. Subs: Wesolowski, Schmeltz, Clarke-Harris, Byrne, Rodgers, Millar, Simpson.