New date for Giants visit

OLDHAM have brought forward the friendly with Huddersfield Giants to a new date of Friday, January 16 (7.45pm kick off).

The switch from the original date of Sunday, January 25, has been made with a view to giving the squad some much-needed game time as soon as possible, given that adverse weather conditions have put this weekend’s testimonial encounter with Swinton at Sedgley Park in some doubt.

A proposed Paul Highton testimonial against Salford earlier this month has already fallen by the wayside.

“We are desperate to get a game under our belts and after speaking to Huddersfield, they were happy to agree to the switch,” said Roughyeds chief executive Chris Hamilton, who confirmed that Oldham Athletic have no problem with Boundary Park being used on the new date.

“It suits Huddersfield too and after speaking to them earlier in the week, they came back to us yesterday to agree to our proposal.”

The arrangement should see more Huddersfield supporters travelling across to Boundary Park.

The Super League club — handed a huge blow today with the news that star signing Todd Carney has been refused a visa to enter the UK — were originally set to double up on January 25, having a home pre-season game with Wigan at the same time as the Oldham away-day.

However, there is also an insurance policy built into the revised scheduling. If bad weather next week means that the Giants game has to be postponed, the fixture will revert back to its original date of January 25.

As for this Sunday’s joint testimonial for John Hough and Wayne English, a pitch inspection is set to take place at Sedgley Park tomorrow morning to determine whether or not to call off the game.