Spencer blow

Jack Spencer

CHALLENGE Cup giant-killers Oldham have suffered a new injury blow only three days before Saturday’s sixth-round clash with Super League leaders Warrington Wolves at Bower Fold.

Prop Jack Spencer damaged a hand in Sunday’s superb 16-14 Championship win against Featherstone Rovers and has since learned that he has broken a bone.

He is likely to be out for six to eight weeks .

EXPECTED

“He doesn’t need surgery, but that’s how long it is expected to take for the hand to heal,” said coach Scott Naylor.

“It’s another injury to deal with, but it is what it is — we just get on with the job.”

He can recall the rested Phil Joy, but he’ll still be light in the front-row because Joe Burke is cup-tied, having previously played for North Wales Crusaders in the same competition, and dual-reg Huddersfield Giants forward Tyler Dickinson is unlikely to be available if the experience of previous rounds is a pointer.

Second-row man Danny Langtree, who suffered an ankle injury at Whitehaven, won’t be ready in time, but there’s a chance he might be okay to face table-topping Leigh Centurions the week after.

On a brighter note, Liam Thompson should be fit after picking up a dead leg against Featherstone and there’s a good chance that winger Jamel Chisholm will be cleared to play after damaging his ribs in the fifth-round win at Hull KR.

Naylor went on: “Jamel trained last night, for the first time since the Hull KR win, and then spent some time with the conditioners before joining the other lads again.

“We’ll have to wait and see if there is any reaction.”

Oldham fans heading for Whitebank between 6pm and 7pm tonight to buy cup-tie tickets or to be photographed with the famous Challenge Cup trophy will have the opportunity to chat with three of their cup heroes and stars of the Hull KR triumph — Phil Joy, Gareth Owen and Michael Ward.

They will be at Whitebank to meet and greet supporters, who are being strongly advised to buy tickets in advance to avoid pre-match congestion. Fans can also purchase Bower Fold car park tickets to guarantee a spot.

Tickets will also be on sale at Whitebank up to 3pm today; from 9.30am to 1.30pm tomorrow; and from 9.30am to 4pm on Friday.

Like Oldham’s Spencer, Warrington back-row man Jack Hughes, hurt in last Thursday’s 40-10 win against Wigan, is also out for eight weeks with a broken hand.

He joins a long-term casualty list at the Halliwell Jones Stadium which includes Chris Sandow, Declan Patton and Jack Johnson.

Centre Ryan Atkins is doubtful with a ruptured ligament in a finger and winger Tom Lineham is waiting for a head test after being badly shaken up by a heavy hit from Tony Clubb in the Wigan game.

He is expected to pass it and to be in the cup squad.