Roden doubt for must-win clash

WITH the must-win Doncaster match only 48 hours away, Oldham have revealed a mixed picture regarding injuries.

On the negative side, Neil Roden is highly likely to miss the televised clash, having retired from the defeat at Barrow early in the game with a back injury. The stand-off is expected to be missing for two to three weeks.

Also doubtful for the game against Ellery Hanley’s men is high impact prop Said Tamghart, who missed the trip to Cumbria due to a knee problem. The French star will be given as long as possible in order to prove himself fit.

On a positive note, captain Rob Roberts’ concussion in the 32-12 Craven Park loss shouldn’t prevent him taking to the field, providing he passes an obligatory cognitive test with no problems.

Full-back Paul O’Connor and Daryl Cardiss are also in contention once again, providing more options in the backs division for coach Steve Deakin.

Sky Sports are providing live coverage of Thursday evening’s National League Two encounter at Boundary Park, the only fixture from the professional game’s third tier to be broadcast live so far in 2008.

Oldham officials are hoping to smash the NL2 record attendance figure with the help of an initiative which will see all spectators admitted for free, subject to a minimum £1 charity donation.

A similar scheme was in operation last year for a match against Celtic Crusaders, which helped attract the current record crowd of 4,327.

The Roughyeds will take to the field in a one-off all-pink kit on the night in order to raise awareness of the two charities which will benefit from the donations, Dr Kershaw’s Hospice and The Genesis Appeal.

Oldham’s home reserves match away to Featherstone Rovers has been brought forward and will now be played out tomorrow night (7.30pm kick off).

SUPER League’s Magic Weekend is migrating from Cardiff to Edinburgh for the next two seasons.

The RFL has made the decision to switch venues to the Scottish capital’s Murrayfield Stadium, which will host seven games across the weekend of May 2 and 3.

The format of the fixtures has yet to be determined but the League have decided to scrap the “derby” element in favour of a seeded draw and Super League clubs’ season–ticket holders will receive vouchers enabling them to buy day tickets at half price.