Ward KO for home clash

INJURED winger Jarrod Ward will miss his first game of the season when League One leaders Oldham play London Skolars at Whitebank on Sunday (3pm).

Centre Tom Ashton is also out, and a question mark surrounds Adam Clay, whose partner is due to have a baby.

Loan player Nathan Mason and Jon Ford are available, but there will be no dual-reg players in the squad.

Skolars are without Aussie half-back James Anthony and hooker Danny Burke. But captain David Williams is back from a loan with London Broncos, who have supplied their partner club with Jon Wallace, Harvey Burnett and Joel Wicks on dual registration.

Former Oldham prop Dave Ellison, who had two seasons at Oxford after leaving Whitebank, will make his 150th career appearance.

Meanwhile, on Monday Oldham owner Chris Hamilton will meet a group of fans concerned about the club’s future.

“I welcome this because it shows that, like me, these supporters care,” he said. “If we can start a dialogue which has a positive outcome then I’m all for it. As a club we have plenty to be proud of and plenty to look forward to, so let’s pull together to achieve it.”