Roughyeds pair stake their claim

ROUGHYEDS duo Chris Baines and Luke Menzies will be pushing hard to impress coach Tony Benson in training this week.

The pair are both strongly in contention for places in the side to face Hunslet at the South Leeds Stadium on Sunday (2pm kick off), a game in which Oldham are targeting a victory which would guarantee progress through to the last eight of the Northern Rail Cup.

Second row man Baines has started all three matches so far under Benson, impressing greatly with his work-rate. He retired hurt during the game against Sheffield after being dumped on his back in a tackle, but there is no lasting damage and the 24-year-old will hope to take to the field again this weekend.

Menzies, who hurt an elbow in pre-season, has yet to play in a competitive game in 2009. However, the former Batley and Hull KR forward was 18th man against the Eagles and is in the mix for a spot in the side against the Hawks.

On the injuries front, Craig Robinson is now set to miss the next few weeks after hyper-extending his elbow against Rochdale a week ago.

Luke Sutton, who had been suffering from a virus, is recovered and is likely to take his place in the reserves squad which plays a pre-season friendly at Hunslet on Friday night, as are Craig Littler and Lucas Onyango, while Richard Mervill is also back and in contention for his first action of the year.

Thomas Coyle’s medial knee ligaments problem is said to be responding favourably to treatment.