Roughyeds hit by injury pile-up

ROUGHYEDS coach Steve Deakin is once again down to the bare bones as injuries continue to adversely affect best-laid plans.

Danny Halliwell’s rib injury and a knock to Matty Brooks’ calf saw both men depart from the field in the first half of the 40-24 defeat at York on Sunday, while Adam Robinson — in his first match back since damaging his knee six weeks ago — hurt his wrist in the same game.

All three are now severe doubts for Oldham’s first-ever visit to Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium tomorrow night, a game the team needs to pick three points from to keep up their hopes of claiming automatic promotion from National League Two.

With the squad currently numbering 22 players, not including broken jaw victim Craig Littler, it means that opportunities could arrive tomorrow for the now-fit Simeon Hoyle, back after ankle and Achilles injuries, Chris Baines, Luke Sutton and Lucas Onyango.

The deadline for new signings arrives this Friday, August 8, but with the club believed to be very close to the National League Two salary cap, bringing in fresh blood could prove difficult.

Rob Roberts, who has now recovered from the sickness which ruled him out of the away defeat at York, is to be accompanied by chief executive Chris Hamilton as he makes a personal appearance before the RFL disciplinary committee in Leeds tonight.

The Roughyeds captain is charged with punching, Grade C, after being sent off in the first half of the 30-28 home win over Keighley two weeks ago.

He faces a punishment ranging from a ‘no further action’ verdict up to and including a four-game ban — which would rule him out of the remainder of the regular season.

Even given that worst-case scenario, Roberts would definitely be back for the play-offs, should Oldham fail to gain automatic promotion.