Palfrey out as Naylor rotates team

SCOTT Naylor left club captain Lewis Palfrey out of the Oldham side that won at Gloucester – and revealed he will continue to rotate his squad over the next couple of months.

It's part of a strategy to keep players on their toes and to provide him with his best and strongest squad at play-off time.

The other major change saw Jason Boults return at prop after two games out, in place of loan player Alex Davidson from Salford. Both men travelled to Cheltenham in case they were needed.

Said Naylor: "I needed to look at Steve Roper. For him to come in, another half-back had to drop out. Simple as that. I might change things round again next week. I've got a lot of quality lads now. They all want to play.

"I'll continue to make minor changes over the next few weeks because we've got a long run of tough games and that's what the squad is for.”

Roughyeds have a double bill at Whitebank next weekend. The under-20s are at home to Sheffield Eagles on Saturday (2.30pm) and Naylor's men face London Skolars at the same venue on Sunday (3pm).