Roberts boost for Roughyeds

ROB ROBERTS should be fit to start the season free of the back pain which troubled him throughout the second half of last year.

The results of a scan on the injury which was has caused the Roughyeds captain such discomfort have come back in and the 29-year-old has been diagnosed as having a degenerative condition which has resulted in a bulging of discs in his spine.

There is no ‘cure’ as such, but the hope is that an epidural injection on Thursday will help by decreasing the inflammation.

“It isn’t great news but it could have been worse,” said Oldham chief executive Chris Hamilton.

“Two Bobs has been doing everything in training that everyone else has and this is a problem he has had for a long while.

“The specialist thinks that this procedure will help ease it for a few months — a shorter period than a regular member of the public due to the demands of rugby league — but if it works he can then have another injection if need be.”

Roberts was the first member of the current squad to re-sign for the 2009 season and has enjoyed a renaissance in his career since arriving at Oldham.

The former Huddersfield and Leigh man made 30 appearances last season, his second with the club, scoring seven tries and once again proving to be an able leader in the forwards.

YORKSHIRE based Australian referee Ashley Klein is to take charge of the Rugby League World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand at the Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.