Despite a stuttering start, K-Max will be hoping a spell at Spotland helps his career take off at Boundary Park
It's not exactly been plain sailing for Kelvin Lomax at Oldham, but he is still seen as part of the club’s future.
The Bury-born defender began his career as a trainee at Boundary Park, making his debut for the club as a 17-year-old in May 2004. So far, so good, and he picked up further appearances over the next two seasons – but in summer 2006 he was released by boss Ronnie Moore.
That could have been it for his career, but he was back almost before he knew it. A series of injuries forced a rethink at Boundary Park and Lomax was offered a new short-term contract before impressing enough to be handed a more lengthy deal in the summer of 2007.
He spent two months in autumn on loan at nearby Rochdale, when Keith Hill had his own defensive crisis to contend with, and the experience will have done Lomax the power of good – and not just because he was a junction or two nearer his hometown on the M62. Gaining almost a dozen first-team appearances – his initial month's loan was doubled by a grateful Hill – could give him the confidence to kick his career on.