Roughyeds backed to bounce back

ROUGHYEDS coach Tony Benson is backing his players to get back on the winning trail against Workington Town this weekend.

Only three changes have been made to the 18-man squad which travelled to Keighley last week - and all have been enforced.

Captain Robert Roberts (ribs) and Tommy Goulden (hamstring) miss out through injury while Richard Mervill is absent through work commitments.

In come Craig Robinson – a likely starter in the second row for the first time since injuring his elbow against Rochdale five weeks ago – Jason Boults and Luke Menzies.

Jamie l’Anson (shoulder), Chris Baines (elbow) and Dave Allen (hip) all passed fitness tests at training last night, while it was decided that Stevie Gibbons should be given another week to continue his recovery from an injury to a shoulder joint.

Consistency of selection is what Benson is going for at Boundary Park on Sunday as he bids to put the disappointment of last week’s 34-26 loss at Keighley behind him against the Cumbrians.

“We are trying to get some stability into the side,” explained Benson, who is likely to keep faith with a starting half-back combination of the Coyle brothers.

“We will work with what we have got and there is certainly no need to panic.

“Workington come here on the back of a good win against Rochdale. They are a big side and Carl Forber guides them round the park well and has a good kicking game.

“They will turn up expecting to win, but we will be ready for the challenge.”

Oldham (from): O’Connor, Ballard, Halliwell, Reilly, Greenwood, J Coyle, T Coyle, Highton, Joseph, I’Anson, Allen, Baines, Kerr, St Hilaire, Roden, Robinson, Boults, Menzies.