Roughyeds deny link with Ballard

OLDHAM chief executive Chris Hamilton has denied that the club has declared an interest in Salford’s Andy Ballard.

The goalkicking winger, who has been sidelined after hernia problems, is one of eight players being released by the City Reds and his name has been linked with the Roughyeds in some quarters.

However, Mr Hamilton said: “It’s news to me. Not only is is too late to sign anybody this season (the transfer deadline has passed), but we’ve haven’t got a bad goalkicker already with Mick Nanyn!

“We are not thinking about recruiting people at the moment. We have a meeting on Thursday of club officials and coaches for a preliminary chat about next season, but our main focus is on ending this one in style through he play-offs.”

The Roughyeds will launch their play-off bid on September 14 with a home game against Doncaster or Keighley.

And Mr Hamilton believes the lay-off will help a Roughyeds squad which was, at times, stretched to the limit in the closing weeks of the regular season.

Said Mr Hamilton: “There were times when players were having to turn out less then 100- per-cent fit. It’s been a punishing schedule, mentally and physically.

“The time off should enable players to recover from injury, recharge the batteries and enter the play-offs refreshed.

“It also gives the coaching team more time to prepare game plans.

One player who definitely won’t feature in the end-of-season knockout is Ben Seru, the winger recruited from Army rugby league. Seru has undergone knee reconstruction surgery and faces a rehabilitation period of between six and nine months.

o HULL KR full–back Ben Cockayne has signed a new three–year contract that will keep him at Craven Park until the end of the 2011 season.