ELIOT Goldthorp will continue his love affair with the Checkatrade Trophy by making his first senior start for City tonight.

The teenager, who grabbed the headlines with the winning penalty against Everton under-21s in the opening group game a fortnight ago, is set for another chance for Oldham’s visit to Valley Parade.

David Hopkin has confirmed Goldthorp is in his plans as he once again negotiates the lack of available options within his squad.

Josh Wright is expected to see his first game time since pulling a hamstring at Blackpool after being on the bench at the weekend.

Hopkin had also hoped to play Sean Scannell despite his red card against Sunderland. His three-game ban only applies to the league.

But an anomaly within the FA rules means that a player is not allowed to feature in the Checkatrade Trophy if the dismissal was for violent conduct – effectively ruling out the winger for a fourth game.

That will create a further selection headache for Hopkin as he continues to wait for City’s walking wounded to return to training. Alex Jones re-joined the group on Thursday but is not ready to be involved.

Hopkin said: “I’d like to play a full-strength team because it’s a competition that we want to progress in.

“But sometimes circumstances dictate what you do and we have to be careful we don’t lose any more players.

“We are down to 16 players and a lot of them are 18-19 or kids. It’s a big ask.

“You need to be careful in games you choose to play them in.

“Oldham will be tough because they’ll probably play most of their first team. But these are things they probably need to cope with and learn to play against men.

“It all bodes well for them. But the league games are so important now because I’m not happy with where we are.

“After Saturday, I’m sure the fans are seeing what we are trying to achieve. Hopefully once everybody is fit, then we’ll start to move away (from the bottom).”

Hopkin admitted Scannell’s reaction was “stupid” as he was sent off for shoving George Honeyman to the floor. He then put his face into Lee Cattermole’s in the aftermath.

The City head coach added: “It’s a wee bit of frustration in the 94th minute.

“The last 20 minutes became scrappy and untidy and Sunderland managed to kill the game.

“But it’s stupidity. It’s a bit petulant and shouldn’t have happened and it will cost us another player at a time when we can’t afford it.

“It shows sometimes that you care but it is frustrating for me and for Shaun, because he has been playing well. It’s a massive blow.”

Hopkin has been impressed with the way apprentice Goldthorp has kept his feet on the ground since converting the match-winning penalty on his debut.

And he believes the youngster can cope with being thrown in from the start.

Hopkin said: “Young Eliot has trained with us and he’s done fantastically well.

“He’s a great kid and it won’t faze him. He’s got great energy levels and desire.

“He’s had a taste of it and is probably getting an opportunity a lot earlier than anticipated because of where we are at in terms of numbers in the squad.

“It’s a difficult situation but the players who have been fit have worked so hard.

“It’s where we are as a club right now but I’ve seen massive progress in the time I’ve been here.

“We’ve just competed against a team that’s probably going to win League One this year.”