Dean Furman is Oldham Athletic’s Player of the Month after making an impressive start to the League One campaign.

Furman, 22, scored spectacular goals against Notts County and Charlton from central midfield to claim the club’s Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre award for August.

Furman hopes that his industrious displays will help catch the eye of South African coach Pitso Mosimane ahead of the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifiers. But for now, he is concentrating on Oldham’s promotion push. Furman said: “We are very happy with the first few games of the season and to be four games unbeaten in the league is a great start.”

Joe Jacobson has reiterated his desire to stay at Oldham. The left-back was placed on the transfer market by manager Paul Dickov but having finally returned to full fitness after an injury-plagued year, he said: “The manager hasn’t seen a lot of me and I’m determined to show him what I can do and get back in the first team.”

Gai Assulin has reportedly undergone knee surgery. The 19-year-old Israeli midfielder is believed to have pulled out of a trial at Manchester City last month but we understand that he will be given a further chance to prove himself at Eastlands when he recovers.

Released by Barcelona earlier in the summer, Assulin will still be allowed to sign for a club even though the transfer deadline has closed.