OLDHAM Athletic should know by the middle of next week whether top-scorer Andy Liddell has had his season finished by an Achilles injury.

He has missed the last five games with Athletic hoping rest would prove a suitable cure.

If that is not the case, an operation will be required which would end his season.

Latics boss Ronnie Moore said: "He's been told not to move for a fortnight and we're on a wing and a prayer after that.

"If it's fine then good, if it's not we're in trouble. We've got to hope that being immobile and having anti-inflammatories will be the answer but we won't know until around Tuesday next week."

With Stefan Stam's groin ruling him out for two weeks, Will Haining will return to the back three for Saturday's game with Tranmere Rovers.

Moore is demanding a better display than the one which saw Latics lose 4-0 at Prenton Park in August.

He said: "I can't believe how badly we played in the second half there.

"It took a wonder goal to give them the lead, but to come out and perform like that in the second half was outrageous. One or two individuals had horrific games."

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