Centre back on home soil

JON Ford is set to make his first appearance at Whitebank since last September in Oldham RL club’s first league home game of the season against Coventry Bears on Sunday afternoon.

The big centre, who is on a three-month loan from Salford Red Devils, has played in away games at Sheffield and Rochdale, but was ineligible for Wednesday’s iPro Sport Cup semi-final against North Wales Crusaders because he didn’t sign in time for the two earlier rounds.

Sunday’s game will be Roughyeds third in 10 days. Coach Scott Naylor will pick from his full squad of 22 — his semi-final 17 plus Ford, Steven Nield, Richard Joy, Tom Dempsey and latest recruit Tom Ashton.

Coventry, who have signed three young players from HULL KR on loan, got off to a winning start last week by beating Oxford.