Banned Suffolk in Whitebank duel KO

ROCHDALE loose-forward Tony Suffolk’s 10-match ban will rule him out of the derby battle at Whitebank on July 12.

A suspension that will effectively end his season was imposed last night by an independent tribunal.

Suffolk pleaded guilty to making dangerous contact with Alex Thompson of North Wales Crusaders in the third minute of their Kingstone Press League One game in Wrexham.

Thompson, a former Oldham player, was carried off on a stretcher with an ankle injury and is expected to be out for several weeks.

Rochdale, who edged a fiery encounter 14-12 with a late Dale Bloomfield try, come to Whitebank in a fortnight, seeking to avenge Oldham’s 23-16 win at Spotland on the opening day of the League One season at Easter.

Back in second place after their win at Swinton Lions, Oldham play Gloucester All Golds in Cheltenham on Saturday, facing a side coached by ex-Roughyeds winger Lee Greenwood which will be without suspended prop Alex Davidson.

Davidson entered an early guilty plea and got a one-match ban for punching in Gloucester’s 38-6 defeat at Newcastle. Thunder duo Matty Barron and Louis Sheriff were also banned for punching — Barron for one match, Sheriff for two.

Oldham, meanwhile, are waiting to find out if Jon Ford will be available for the trip to Cheltenham's Prince of Wales Stadium.

Since playing a big part in the win at Sedgley Park, Ford has dislocated a finger in training and whether he’ll be with Oldham on Saturday will be down to his parent club Salford and their medical department.