Gilchrist tonic for Oldham

PROP Liam Gilchrist is expected to be fit for Oldham’s big test at Hunslet Hawks on Sunday in the third round of the Tetley’s Challenge Cup.

The 24-year-old former St Helens front-row man, who has made an impressive start to the season, missed Friday’s opening league game against Rochdale with a calf strain.

Coach Scott Naylor won’t settle on his 18 to travel until later in the week, but he is likely to choose from the 17 who faced Rochdale plus Neil Roden, Danny Samuel and Gilchrist, if he gets the all-clear.

Unlike Oldham, who have played the last four games without dual-registered players from link-club Salford City Reds, Hawks have used Leeds Rhinos players extensively in their nine league games in the Kingstone Press Championship.

Players from Super League clubs who go out on dual registration in this weekend’s third-round cup ties will not be eligible to play for their parent clubs in later rounds, and this is sure to make a difference.

The Roughyeds’ under-20s side will make its first appearance of the season at Whitebank on Friday night (8pm kick-off) against derby rivals Rochdale Hornets.