Roberts all-clear for Roughyeds

ROUGHYEDS captain Rob Roberts has escaped a ban and is straight back in the side for tonight’s game at Doncaster (8pm kick off).

The experienced former Huddersfield loose forward, sent off at Boundary Park two weeks ago for throwing a punch at Keighley hooker Jamaine Wray, was handed the all-clear after making a personal appearance in front of the RFL disciplinary panel.

“We demonstrated that he (Roberts) was reacting rather than being the aggressor,” said chief executive Chris Hamilton, who accompanied the 29-year-old at the Leeds hearing.

The news hands coach Steve Deakin a major boost ahead of the clash at the Keepmoat Stadium tonight.

With Danny Halliwell unable to play due to a rib injury, Roberts — who has recovered from the illness which prevented him taking on York at the weekend — is likely to come back in at number 13, with Ian Hodson taking over Halliwell’s role.

Matty Brooks is out with a calf injury he picked up at York, but the chances of Adam Robinson (wrist) taking to the field have improved.

Assistant coach Mark Cass hinted that changes could be in the offing, with the likes of Chris Baines, Luke Sutton, Lucas Onyango and Simeon Hoyle all pushing for spots in the 17-man squad as Oldham bid to bounce back after the 40-24 Knights defeat.

“It may be a case of tinkering, or alternatively giving the players the chance to prove they are good enough to keep their spots,” said Cass.

“Everybody was disappointed with the result (at York) as with five games to go, our target was to win all five.

“But now we have to get back on the horse. Automatic promotion isn’t in our hands now so we will have to play for third place and hopefully someone will do us a favour along the way.

“It will be very tough at Doncaster, as they have a good record at the Keepmoat.

“The good thing for us is that they are coming into the game on the back of a couple of defeats and have played a lot of games recently, which isn’t helping them. But we have to go there and concentrate on ourselves.”

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