Deakin facing anxious wait

NINE players will have fitness tests for the injury-hit Roughyeds prior to a team being named for the Sunday’s Swinton test.

Of the side that started last week’s 34-22 win over Barrow, Simeon Hoyle (ankle), James Coyle (ankle), Jason Boults (knee), Daryl Cardiss (groin), Luke Menzies (forearm) and Lucas Onyango (shoulder) will all be put through their paces tonight — as will Phil Joseph (ribs), Adam Robinson (wrist and knee), and Marcus St Hilaire (back).

With Tommy Goulden definitely out, having strained ligaments in his foot, along with Mick Nanyn, who has a fractured thumb, it amounts to quite a headache for coach Steve Deakin ahead of the final away game of the regular season.

The Oldham coach is likely to once again call on the services of Huddersfield loan duo Michael Brown and James Martin, both of whom impressed in their first appearance last week, as well as fielding the ‘least’ injured parties.

Club officials will be keeping a close eye on tonight’s crucial National League Two fixture, as second-placed Barrow take on Keighley at home.

While a win for the visitors would pull them to within one point of third-placed Oldham, it would also mean that a Roughyeds win at Sedgley Park would push Deakin’s men into second place.

Swinton, who have fallen to the Roughyeds four times already this year, have a major doubt hanging over the fitness of veteran winger Marlon Billy, whose season could be over due to a shoulder problem.

Coach Paul Kidd could have Mike Smith and Barry Hamilton back, for a game the Lions must win to maintain hopes of reaching the play-offs.

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

Swinton (from): English, Saywell, Hull, Gorton, Billy, Hawkyard, McGovern, Line, Sykes, Johnson, Rigby, Wainwright, Moana, Hulse, Bamford, Bates, Hayes, Smith, Hamilton.




THE one-off pink shirts worn by Oldham in the televised game against Doncaster are available to bid for on Ebay. All proceeds go to charity.