BLUES boss Kevin Maher has praised the professionalism of Peter Clarke ahead of his reunion with his former Southend United team-mate on Tuesday night.

Clarke, who spent three seasons with the Shrimpers, is still lining up for the Latics at the age of 41.

And Maher believes the centre-back deserves all the credit coming his way for a lengthy career which has seen him make 910 appearances.

“It’s a credit to him and how he conducts himself as a professional,” said Maher.

“You have to do it day in, day out and he deserves all the credit he gets.

“To be able to be in that position and compete at a very good level shows what a good professional he is.”

Maher also spent time with the Latics during his own career.

And he is looking forward to being back at Boundary Park.

“It’s been a little while and I was only there for a year but I loved it,” said the 46-year-old who made 32 appearances for Oldham during the 2008/09 season.

“ It’s a proper football club with great fans who back the team ever so well.

“They’ve had a tough time of it of late but they’ve got a new owner in and there are a lot of positives recently.

“I’m looking forward to going back but it’s about getting the right performance and result.”

Blues will again be without strikers Rhys Murphy (calf) and Jake Hyde (hamstring) while skipper Nathan Ralph faces further checks on a broken nose.

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