Ashton pledge to get up to speed

Tom Ashton: re-signed for promoted Roughyeds

PROMOTED Oldham have re-signed Tom Ashton, who has pledged to spend the entire off season working on his general fitness.

The 23-year-old former Sheffield Eagles centre has committed to a new one-year deal as the Roughyeds plan for life in the Championship.

Ashton is back after missing most of the season with a knee injury - and knows he is way behind other members of the superfit squad.

Following his lay-off he has made four appearances during the run of 14 wins - but didn't play in the promotion-winning game against Keighley on Sunday.

Said Ashton: "My knee is okay now, but because I've missed so much rugby since April I'm playing catch-up on general fitness. It's hard to slot back into a winning team that is supremely fit when you've been out for such a long time.

“I can play a lot better than I've shown in my recent appearances, but I need to rebuild my confidence and get properly fit.

"I've a lot of work to do, but I've only played six games all year; I don’t need a close-season rest like the lads who’ve done a full season.”

Oldham have so far announced four signings for 2016 — Lewis Palfrey, new-boy Jamel Chisholm, a winger, and Ashton on one-year deals, and Danny Langtree on a two-year agreement.