Gill returns for third Oldham stint

Kieran Gill is back at Oldham.

The 22-year-old Castleford Tigers centre, fully fit and ready to play after the reconstruction of his left knee, has rejoined Roughyeds on a month's loan and will be training with the squad tonight (Thursday), ahead of Sunday's Betfred League 1 clash with Keighley Cougars at the Vestacare Stadium.

It will be his third stint with Oldham, for whom he scored eight tries in 12 appearances in 2016 and five tries in nine outings in 2017.

He then returned to his parent club only to suffer a serious knee injury on a try-scoring Super League debut against St Helens on June 4 last year.

Tigers won 16-12 on their way to finishing top of Super League and then reaching the Grand Final at Old Trafford where they were beaten by Leeds Rhinos.

Gill had a full knee reconstruction and has spent the last ten months building up to his first game back, which will be in Oldham colours.

Said Gill: "I don't know how it all came about but when I knew there was a chance of going back to Oldham I jumped at it. I didn't hesitate.

"I'm ready to play and I can't wait. I'm hoping to play on Sunday, but that's not down to me. I'll be back training with Oldham on Thursday night.

"I've been waiting ten months for my first game back and, to be honest, I feel as confident as ever.

"Before all my rehab even started I promised myself I would be back bigger, better and stronger and I'll be out to prove that when I get back on the field.

"It will be my third spell at Oldham and that in itself says a lot about what I think of the club.

"They're a great bunch of lads, Scott and the staff are first-rate and the fans re amazing."

Said Oldham chairman Chris Hamilton: "Kieran is keen to come back and he's raring to go.

"Like Luke Hooley and Lee Kershaw, who we've signed on loan from Wakefield, he'll be in contention for Sunday and he'll be available to us for the Challenge Cup tie with Hull KR a week later."

Coach Scott Naylor said: "We know all about Kieran and he knows all about us.

"He can play centre or wing so he'll add to our options, which is exactly what we need.

"He hasn't played for a while, but he's been training with a top Super League club - not any Super League club, but the one which topped the league and then reached the Grand Final.

"He won't be match fit, but he'll be generally fit and very strong and he'll be dying to play rugby again after ten months out.

"On top of that, he knows our structures and our systems because he's played a lot of games for us. It should be a very smooth transition for him."