Hoyle poised for Roughyeds recall

A HOST of knocks has once again given Oldham Roughyeds coach Steve Deakin a major headache ahead of his side’s latest test in National League Two.

Already stretched prior to last week’s 36-16 home win over Doncaster, the squad is now likely to be missing the three players – Ian Hodson (broken nose), Jason Boults (knee ligaments) and Craig Littler (broken jaw) – who sustained injuries during that game.

Former Keighley hooker Simeon Hoyle could come back into the side to face his old club at Boundary Park on Sunday (3pm kick off), with Deakin admitting he has a “decent chance” of playing despite having been out for a month with an ankle injury.

Neil Roden (back) is in a similar position, though Deakin believes the stand-off is the bigger risk of the pair.

“It is too early to tell who will play,” said the Oldham coach, who can at least call on wingers Gareth Langley and Lucas Onyango.

“We still have players who are unable to run. Being prudent, if they can take part in the last session tomorrow morning they will come into consideration.

“It is a case of just picking the 17 least affected by injuries. Players are playing through injuries – Rob Roberts has been playing for two weeks with a broken hand – but we will get 17 on the pitch and hopefully we will be in good enough shape to get the result.”

Oldham’s winning run at home now extends to 16 matches across two seasons and Keighley coach Barry Eaton is aware of the size of task his side, impressing in fourth spot in the table, faces.

“They’re unbeaten at home and we know it’s going to be tough but we also know how important this match is to them and I think there is more pressure on Oldham,” he was reported as saying.

“They want to go up automatically and think they can actually win the league. Realistically they have to beat us to have any hope of doing that.”

Oldham (from): O’Connor, St Hilaire, Nanyn, Cardiss, Coyle, Brooks, Mervill, Goulden, Halliwell, Roberts, Sutton, Baines, Joseph, Tamghart, Langley, Onyango, Hoyle, Roden.




Oldham’s reserves team lost 68-10 to a highly experienced Widnes team at Sedgley Park last night, with returning full-back Anthony Bingham scoring a cracking length-of-field try for the home side.