No let-up, warns Naylor

SCOTT Naylor has warned his players, ahead of Sunday’s visit of Gloucester All Golds, that nobody in the Oldham team can rest on his laurels.

Roughyeds have won their last three games with a settled side, but at least one change will be forced on Naylor when the All Golds come to Whitebank on Sunday (3pm) because of hooker Danny Whitmore’s one-match suspension.

The return to fitness, after 17 weeks out, of back-row forward Liam Thompson and the signing of winger Adam Clay gives Naylor multiple choices in team selection.

Clay’s debut will be delayed for at least one week because he comes with a slight ankle problem, which requires treatment.

“We’ll soon get it sorted, but he won’t be playing on Sunday,” confirmed Naylor after last night’s training session.

Sticking to policy, he won’t reveal his hand until later, but he has intimated already that he is leaning towards playing Sam Gee at hooker and switching things round a little bit at the back of the pack and on the bench.

He has no shortage of options in that regard with Thompson, George Tyson and Mark Hobson all waiting in the wings.

Naylor went on: “The situation with ‘Whitty’ (Whitmore) gives opportunities for other players to come in and perform well.

“But the boys who have been doing well in the last few weeks also need to be on their mettle if they want to keep hold of their jerseys.

“Anybody who plays well has no need to fear, but next week 'Whitty' will want to come back so we have a situation in which everybody is playing for his shop.

“I don’t think anyone can feel comfortable — and that’s how it should be.”

Naylor expects a humdinger of a game against an in-form All Golds side which has beaten both York and Hunslet in recent weeks.

Oldham will be defending an unbeaten record this season at Whitebank.

For a full version of this story see the digital edition or buy the Chronicle.