Coach facing tough calls

Date published: 12 August 2014


IT’S a long time since Scott Naylor enjoyed the luxury of picking from a fully-fit squad, but it might happen when he names his Oldham RL side to face Hemel Stags at Whitebank on Sunday (3pm).

Discounting long-term injury victim Adam Files, who has missed most of the season, Naylor is looking to have the other 25 players in his first-team squad ready to go and available for selection.

It all hinges on Kenny Hughes (ankle) and David Cookson (elbow), but both players are due to resume full training tonight after being restricted in recent weeks during rehabilitation.

Hughes, who has had a great season as replacement hooker coming off the bench, damaged an ankle in the 46-6 win against Gloucester at Whitebank on July 13.

He left the ground on crutches and missed the next three games against York, Hunslet and London Skolars, but he hopes to be available by the weekend.

Cookson, who normally plays centre to Mo Agoro, dislocated an elbow in the thrilling 24-23 home win against Hunslet Hawks on July 27.

He is said to be making good progress, having missed only one game — at London Skolars — and having had three weeks in which to recuperate.

If Hughes is fit, Naylor will have tough decisions to make relative to his choice of hookers, given that new-boy Gareth Owen and Brett Robinson have done well there in the last two games.


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