Naylor’s reasons to be cheerful

OLDHAM were given five good reasons at training last night for going confidently into Sunday’s big game against North Wales at Whitebank.

Four of them are related to the availability of prop forwards — key workers in any successful side.

It emerged that NATHAN MASON will probably stay until the end of the season, though his initial 28-day loan period has expired; JASON BOULTS, out for several weeks with a broken finger, has been cleared to play; LIAM GILCHRIST has recovered from a calf-muscle strain picked up a month ago, and MATTHEW HAGGARTY is fully fit despite a knock last time out.

Adding to the good news comes clearance also for winger Dale Bloomfield, who hurt a wrist in the South Wales game. Fears of a fracture were quickly dispelled.

Coach Scott Naylor said: “The squad benefited from having a few days off and that was evident from the way they trained the house down. The players are all looking forward to the game.

“It’s going to be tough to put a team together because of the options. There are going to be some disappointed boys, but I can only pick 17.”

Naylor will have big decisions to make about his middle unit while he also ponders new signing Tom Whitehead - said to be equally competent at full-back, stand-off, hooker or loose-forward.

Whitehead has been added to the first-team squad and, perhaps significantly, is not included in the under-20s side to play York City Knights away tomorrow (Thurs), 8pm kick off.