Briscoe, Ashton return to training

LONG-TERM injury victims Craig Briscoe and Tom Ashton have resumed light training at Oldham after weeks out of action.

“It will still be a while before they’re back on the field, but they’ve made a start, they’re on the way back and that’s good,” said upbeat coach Scott Naylor.

New-boy Briscoe, a back-row forward, has still to play a competitive game for Roughyeds after picking up a serious knee injury in a pre-season run-out at Barrow.

It was first thought he would need major surgery to fully reconstruct the joint, but he has since been told an extensive rehabilitation programme will suffice.

Ashton, who opened the season strongly with tries at Leigh and in the home win against Dewsbury from the right-centre berth, was later rushed into Salford Royal Hospital for an emergency operation to remove a burst appendix.

Naylor and his medical team will again assess several players at training tonight ahead of Sunday’s clash with Sheffield Eagles, a full-time club , at Bower Fold (3pm).

Danny Grimshaw, Danny Langtree and Adam Files are all expected to be available for selection again, but it remains to be seen whether Naylor wants to tinker with his 17 or stick with the men who did a terrific job in beating Batley Bulldogs 28-12 last time out.