Youngsters set for Roughyeds call

YOUNG duo Ben Heaton and Scott Mansfield could get a taste of first-team action with Oldham this weekend.

Coach Tony Benson takes a squad up to Barrow on Sunday afternoon minus at least six injury absentees, thus presenting a possible opportunity for the new duo.

Of the five reserve-team players from last season who have signed two-year professional contracts, Mark Smith and Anthony Bingham are set for recalls following their impressive efforts against Huddersfield, while Heaton (18), a full-back or hooker, and Mansfield (17), who operates in a number of positions, may also step into the breach.

The only youngster definitely not involved is Chris Clarke, who is still recovering from a broken wrist.

“It certainly opens the door for the younger players to have a run out,” said Benson of the current injuries situation, which will become clearer after training tonight.

“Maybe if it was mid-season, one or two would be able to play with the aid of painkilling injections, but there is no point doing that at this time of year.”

Checks will be made this evening on the condition of Tommy Goulden (foot), Lee Greenwood (thigh), Paul O’Connor (groin) and Danny Halliwell (knee).

With Jason Boults also missing the Barrow game, it means Benson is down to four fit front rowers in Luke Sutton, Luke Menzies, Jamie I’Anson and Wayne Kerr.

Meanwhile, a group of Rochdale Hornets supporters have joined forces with London-based economist and fan Paul Ormerod in a bid to take over the troubled club as a supporters’ co-operative.

Hornets, a founder member of the Northern Union in 1895, entered administration this month in order to avoid a winding-up order over a £55,000 tax bill.

Now, the Hornets Nest Egg fans’ group is bidding to run the club, with Ormerod becoming honorary president. Talks are taking place with the club’s Leeds-based administrators, with the RFL informed of their intentions.

RICHARD Johnson has left Bradford Bulls for a season to play in Australia with St George-Illawarra’s feeder club Wollongong. The 23-year-old Oldhamer, one of three brothers to have played professionally, has been with the Bulls for seven years.