Oldham Athletic boss Davis Unsworth on Harrison McGahey injury

The 27-year-old has made just six appearances this season and hasn’t featured since the 3-0 defeat at Woking back in September.

McGahey initially had a couple of injections to treat the injury but they did not have the desired effect.

The defender now faces at least another couple of months on the sidelines, according to Unsworth.

The Latics chief is yet to see McGahey in action but says he is “a big player for us” and hopes to have him back as soon as possible.

"McGahey has had a back operation,” said Unsworth. “Fingers crossed he could be back with us at the end of January or early February at the earliest.

“I've not seen him play yet. I know all about him and I've seen him play previously at different clubs, but he's not put his boots yet for me unfortunately and he's a big player for us. We wish him a speedy recovery.”

Latics have brought in a number of new signings since Unsworth took charge at Boundary Park back in September.

The most recent addition was former Preston North End goalkeeper Mathew Hudson, who was on the bench during the 2-1 defeat against Solihull Moors.

Unsworth is pleased with the recruitment that has taken place so far and reckons Latics have now got a “steady squad”.

However, the former Everton man is still eyeing “one or two more signings” and is also starting to think about potential outgoings, both in terms of loan deals and permanent exits.

He added: "I feel like we've got a steady squad now, I feel like we've got a settled team and squad. I've got players in that I've wanted.

"We're about at the level now we're we will start to let players go on loan and have conversations with players to move on.

“One or two more signings now and that will be us with a settled squad, which is all I've really wanted.

"I think I've given everybody an opportunity, I think I've been more than fair to a lot of players and given a lot of players game time, and now it's about honing in on that team and getting on a roll now.