Roden puts coaching first

TEMPORARY Oldham RL boss Martin Roden has put his playing career on hold while he acts as replacement for dismissed former coch Tony Benson.

The 32-year-old hooker will not pick himself while he concentrates on his new role.

Standing down from the playing staff was a condition of the offer to coach the side until the end of the season.

Roden will be in charge for the three remaining Championship One games against Doncaster, Workington Town and Gateshead, plus play-off matches if Roughyeds finish in the top six. The permanent coaching job is to be advertised.



Danny Whitmore, recovering from a broken hand, was sent home from training on Tuesday night because he was feeling unwell.

Centre David Cookson is having treatment for a dead leg, but he is expected to be fit for Sunday's game against Doncaster at Whitebank (3pm kick-off).

Oldham have not yet given up hope of bringing in at least one new player before tomorrow’s signing deadline, but time is running out.



OLDHAM RL reserves, the only third-tier club to have a team in the six-club Under-23s Championship, finished third behind Featherstone Rovers and Halifax.

Last year they finished second behind Widnes Vikings in a 10-team competition — then beat Vikings in the play-off final to bring the trophy to Whitebank.

They are currently preparing for another play-off tie at Halifax tomorrow (8pm kick-off).

They lost 34-4 at The Shay last week in their final league game, so will need a major turnround for the Roughyeds to avenge that defeat and qualify for a final at Post Office Road against unbeaten leaders Featherstone.






READ the full version of this story only in our print and eChron editions



Follow us on Twitter - @OldhamChronicle