Nield set to return for crunch game

IN-FORM: kicking ace Lewis Palfrey.

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STAND by for Steven Nield's return to first-team duty at centre in a match described by Oldham coach Scott Naylor as "the biggest of the season so far."

Local boy Nield (22), in his first season of senior rugby, played in most of the early games up to and including the 36-0 win away to Gloucester All Golds eight weeks ago.

Danny Samuel and David Cookson were centres in the next game against Oxford at Whitebank and in the three outings since then, all ending in victory, Cookson and dual-registered Jon Ford were the men charged with bringing out the best in wingers Dale Bloomfield and Mo Agoro.

The 19-year-old Ford, highly rated by Salford City Reds, keeps his spot in Sunday's top of the table Kingston Press Championship One clash against unbeaten leaders North Wales Crusaders at Wrexham (2.30pm).

Cookson, however, is out of this first v third battle – a shock omission because he has declared himself unavailable.

Although Naylor won't name his line-up until later, Nield looks a banker bet to win back the jersey that many fans thought he was unfortunate to lose in the first place.

There won't be many more changes, if any, although workaholic loose-forward Mark Hobson is back from holiday and pushing for a place in the 17.

Naylor will choose from 19: Lepori, Agoro, Nield, Ford, Bloomfield, Palfrey, Hughes, Roden, Gilchrist, Boults, Gee, Files, Joy, Ward, Langtree, Crowley, Thompson, Bradley, Hobson.

Said the Roughyeds boss: "None of us has forgotten the 48-12 defeat at Wrexham in the Northern Rail Cup on the opening day of the season. It wasn't so much our performance that hurt, it was the score.

"The boys will be going there again to show they are better than that and to show how they have come on in the ten games since – seven of them victories."