Oldham snap up Salford prop

YOUNG Salford prop Alex Davidson has joined Oldham RL on a season-long loan.

The signing follows the capture on a one-year contract of highly-rated hooker Adam Files.

The two 21-year-olds played in the Roughyeds’ side which produced an encouraging first pre-season performance in a 16-6 defeat at Championship club Barrow yesterday.

Davidson has played two games for Salford in Super League, the first when he was 18.

Roughyeds coach Scott Naylor said: “He had a big game for us at Barrow and I’m absolutely delighted to get him on loan for the full season.

“I’ve had my eye on him for a bit. He’s done all his pre-season training with Salford and he didn’t come to us until Saturday morning, so to play like he did at Barrow when he was thrown in like that says a lot about the lad.

“He’s got all his career ahead of him and I expect him to go really well for us this year.”

Naylor was also pleased to acquire Files on contract as a fully-fledged Oldham player, having had him on loan from Salford all last season. Three Championship clubs rivalled Roughyeds for his signature.

Naylor went on: “What other clubs do is no concern of mine. All that matters to me is that Adam has chosen Oldham.

“He was unfortunate not to get our 2013 player of the year trophy and we wanted him back from day one. We were planning to get him on loan or dual registration, but as things have turned out, he’s our player now and I couldn’t be more pleased.”

Roughyeds picked up knocks on a heavy pitch at Barrow with forwards Michael Ward, Liam Thompson and Danny Whitmore all limping off in the second half with ankle or foot injuries.

Naylor said none of the injuries was serious and that everyone who played at Craven Park was expected to be fit for next Sunday’s run out against Swinton Lions at Whitebank.