Highton hoping to grab his first chance

PAUL HIGHTON, relishing his first derby challenge in the shirt of his home-town team, is under no illusions about his place in the side.

The 32-year-old, installed as the Roughyeds’ vice-captain for the season, is in coach Tony Benson’s 17 for the visit of Rochdale to Boundary Park for the opening Northern Rail Cup game of the season.

Highton can’t wait to step out onto the field for his Oldham debut on Sunday but knows he will have to perform in what is sure to be a fiercely-contested battle.

“I consider myself fortunate to have a place in the 17, really,” admitted the prop forward, whose recovery from wrist surgery kept him out of the three pre-season friendlies.

“I haven’t done anything to prove myself yet, so this is my first test.

“With a big squad, if you don’t perform there will be no hesitation in you being pulled out of the side.”

Oldham were again stymied by the weather at training last night and since the pre-season programme began in early November, have currently only racked up around a half-dozen sessions with the ball.

Benson is up against it in terms of injuries too. Gary Sykes (knee), Richard Mervill (knee), David Allen (back) and Craig Littler (ankle) are all out and with a doubt hanging over Phil Joseph, who missed last week’s Barrow friendly with a back problem, added to the unavailability of Simeon Hoyle, there is likely to be a first start for new signing Stevie Gibbons at hooker.

Oldham (from): O’Connor; Ballard, St Hilaire, Reilly, Onyango, J Coyle, T Coyle, Kerr, Gibbons, Menzies, Robinson, Baines, Mansfield, Sutton, I’Anson, Bingham, Greenwood, Halliwell, Highton, Roden, Roberts, Boults, Goulden, Smith.

Roughyeds and Latics officials will discuss the state of the snow-covered Boundary Park pitch today. Rugby officials are keen to get the game played if at all possible, but there are major doubts.

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