Boss Dave Penney has also had to cope with a flu and sickness bug which has been sweeping through the club and at one time had up to 15 players out of action.
Penney, plotting the first home win since February, said: "Chris Taylor won't be available but we're hoping Paul Black, Kelvin Lomax and Jon Worthington will be.
"Then, maybe a week or two after that, we should have Chris, Joe Jacobson and Rob Purdie back in the reckoning." Virus victims Keigan Parker and Andy Holdsworth should line up alongside new signings Alan Sheehan and Joe Colbeck.
The latter two signed on Tuesday, Sheehan on a month's loan from Leeds United, and Colbeck on a permanent deal after leaving Bradford City.
Colbeck's signing became all the more important once news emerged that Deane Smalley could be out for up to four months with a damaged disc in his back.
"Leeds have done us a favour by letting us borrow Alan for a month," said Penney.
"I've worked with Joe before at Darlington and he'll give us natural width. He'll go past people and put in crosses.
"With Deane going to be out for as long as he is, we needed some width on the right-hand side and Joe gives us that."
Hartlepool arrive at Boundary Park aiming to atone for defeat to Norwich City last Saturday, while Athletic are seek their second victory of the season.
"It'd be nice to get three points, sit back, relax and see what everyone else does on Saturday," added Penney.
Oldham league form: DWLDD
Hartlepool league form: DLLWL
Key opponent: Adam Boyd - already has a couple of goals to his name this season
Prediction: Oldham 2 Hartlepool 1 - Latics will be looking for a reaction to the midweek defeat.
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Click here for all the latest odds from Betfred.
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