FRANKIE Bunn is eager for his players to put Saturday’s horror show out of their minds tonight when Latics take on League One Bradford City in the Checkatrade Trophy at Valley Parade (7.30pm).

Coming so soon after the 3-1 home defeat to Carlisle United, the manager says it’s an ideal opportunity to put that “bad day at the office” as he described it, to bed.

The manager said: “We go to Bradford to win the game. Saturday was a bad day at the office and this is a good opportunity to bounce back.”

Latics don’t play again until Saturday week when they entertain Port Vale in League Two after this Saturday’s scheduled fixture at Notts County was postponed due to international call-ups.

“With no game on Saturday, it may have an influence on team selection tonight – we’ll have to wait and see,” added Bunn, who is expected to hand a debut to highly-rated defensive midfielder Jordan Lyden.

The 22-year-old, on loan from Aston Villa’s under-23s squad until January 1, has been pencilled in for a long-awaited starting berth after being troubled by a thigh injury since his arrival at Boundary Park on August 31. He hasn’t figured in any of Bunn’s matchday squads so far.

Villa fans were quick to endorse the Australian’s credentials at the time of his temporary switch to Latics, with many questioning why he wasn’t given a chance in their first team.

Tonight is Athletic’s second group-stage encounter in the much-maligned competition, having lost 2-1 at home to Barnsley in early September. Defeat would see Latics bow out before Everton’s under-21s visit Boundary Park on October 30 to round-off the pool.

Bunn said: “We were young against Barnsley – as they were. We named a young squad that night but we may change that tonight.”