Oldham loan stay ‘excites’ Roper

HALF-BACK Steve Roper, who has joined Oldham on loan, was overlooked for the Oxford game because he didn’t train on the Thursday before the game said coach Scott Naylor.

“He trained with us for the first time last Tuesday, but on Thursday had a family commitment,” explained. “We’ve got a couple of weeks now to prepare for our next game against York and he needs to spend time with us and work hard with us.”

Roper (27), formerly with home-town club Wigan, Warrington, Widnes and Workington, is in his sixth season at Rochdale and has recently had a month at Gloucester.

He said: “I’m excited at the prospect of playing at Oldham. I’m still under contract at Rochdale and if everything goes okay I would like to stay (at Oldham) longer, maybe to the end of the season.

“Rochdale won’t release me, but we’ll see how my month goes and if Oldham still want me at the end of it.”

Roper’s chances at Rochdale this season have been limited because Ryan Millard, Paul Crook, Sean Casey, James Dandy and Lewis Sheridan are all competing for the two half-back spots and the hooker's role. Hornets insist Roper is in their plans and his loans are to maintain fitness.

Oldham came through the Oxford game injury free and Naylor believes that 24 of his 25 senior players could be available for the York game on Sunday week.

Liam Thompson is a long-term injury victim, but the 24 would include Roper as well as three players who should be fit by then, Jason Boults, Adam Files and Paddy Mooney.