New-signing Tyson ready to step up, insists Naylor

SCOTT NAYLOR: added young forward George Tyson to his squad.

SCOTT Naylor has taken his Oldham RL squad to 22 with the capture of another young forward from Salford Red Devils.

George Tyson (20) is a few months younger than his former Salford team-mate Alex Davidson, whom he has followed to Whitebank to sample senior rugby for the first time.

They are both on season-long loan. Hooker Adam Files, brought up in the same Salford stable, was here last season on a similar arrangement, but has since become a contract Oldham player on a one-year deal.

Eight of the 22 contracted players now available to Naylor have come through Salford’s youth system.

Danny Whitmore, Lewis Palfrey, Tom Whitehead, Mark Hobson, Ben Wood, Files, Davidson and Tyson were all reared at The Willows, where they were mainly coached by Naylor’s Oldham assistant, Lee Spencer.

Of his latest recruit from the Super League club’s nursery, Naylor said: “George is a versatile lad who can play anywhere in the pack and that’s why I was keen to bring him in.

“He's done all his pre-season work with Salford’s first team and he’s ready now to step up to senior rugby, which is what he’ll do with us.

“As I’ve said before, the squad is stronger all round than last year’s. It’s getting close to completion now, but I’d like to add one more outside back to finish it off and to give us just a little bit more strength in depth.”