Coyle boys set for Roughyeds start

THE Coyle brothers will start together in the halves for the first time since their Wigan days against Leigh.

Thomas, the 20-year- old who impressed against Huddersfield last week, will operate alongside elder sibling James as Tony Benson puts out a very strong looking Roughyeds squad to face his old club on Sunday (3pm kick off).

Andy Ballard will start on the wing for his first appearance in an Oldham shirt and fans will get the chance to see impact prop Wayne Kerr springing from the bench for the first time at the Leigh Sports Village Stadium.

For the second game running, Benson has named a 20-man squad and a total of seven personnel changes have been made. Also in are Marcus St Hilaire, Simeon Hoyle, Tommy Goulden, Robert Roberts and Chris Baines, with the men to miss out Lucas Onyango, Craig Littler, Craig Robinson, Mark Smith, Luke Sutton, Anthony Bingham and David McKay, who left the club this week.

Benson, who led Leigh to Northern Rail Cup success during his stint at Hilton Park in 2006, is expecting a tough test against a Centurions side now marshalled by coach Neil Kelly.

“At their strongest Leigh are a very good side,” said Benson. “They are probably one step ahead of us in that they have already tried all their players out.

“Everyone here so far has staked a good claim for starting spots, so it is up to those who come in to give good accounts of themselves.

“There is everything to play for and as in any game we play, this is one we are going out to win.”

Richard Mervill (knee) doesn’t play at Leigh after it was decided not to take any unnecessary risks at this stage.