Owen fitness fillip for Oldham

GARY MIDDLEHURST

LOOKING ahead to the Championship Shield and the seven games that will ultimately define their season, Oldham RL Club were delighted to be told that Gareth Owen's hamstring injury is not as serious as first feared.

He won't play at Bradford on Sunday (3pm) and he might miss the final game of the regular season against bottom-club Workington Town on Sunday, July 24, but he should be available for selection again in the first Shield game two weeks later.

Armed with a report from the club's medical team at training last night, coach Scott Naylor said: "He's got a tightening in the area of the groin and the upper hamstring.

"The good news is that he's not pulled anything or torn anything or suffered anything too serious.

"He might need no more than one week off, but it could stretch to two."

Gary Middlehurst (broken finger) hopes to be given the all-clear when he goes back to hospital on Monday.

If that's the case, and given that he has been able to train during his lay-off, he will be available for the Workington game.

Jack Spencer, the club's third injury victim, was to have a scan today on the shoulder injury that has kept him sidelined for several weeks.