Oldham set for shake-up

ROUGHYEDS coach Tony Benson won’t be making any unnecessary changes this weekend, but is still likely to be forced into a shake-up of his side.

Injuries, suspension and illness have all contributed to putting a spanner in the works of training ahead of a what is likely to be a sturdy test against current French champions Lezignan at Boundary Park on Sunday (2pm kick off).

Definitely ruled out of Benson’s plans are captain Robert Roberts (ribs), Tommy Goulden (hamstring), Paul Highton (wrist) and Danny Halliwell (hamstring), while Wayne Kerr sits out the Carnegie Challenge Cup fourth-round tie through suspension.

Full-back Paul O’Connor may also be absent for the first time this season, having missed last night’s training session with a heavy cold, while Benson is reluctant to field hooker Stevie Gibbons as he continues his recovery from a shoulder injury.

“When we are forced to make a number of changes, we don’t want to add to it if we can possibly help it,” said Benson, who witnessed Jamie I’Anson (calf) provisionally come through training unscathed.

Should O’Connor fail to make it, Marcus St Hilaire appears the likeliest candidate to slot in at full-back with Paul Reilly and Craig Littler playing in the centres.

I’Anson’s fitness will be a concern, as if he is ruled out it means Benson will have lost the services of all three prop forwards who played in the impressive 66-14 home win over Workington last week.

Should the Roughyeds overcome the French side, they will be left with a positive outlook for the last-16 draw.

Five Super League clubs are guaranteed to exit the competition this weekend, leaving the prospect of a winnable tie against one of the remaining clubs outside the top flight, or alternatively a money-spinning clash with one of the game’s giants.

Oldham (from): O’Connor, Ballard, Littler, St Hilaire, Greenwood, J Coyle, T Coyle, Mervill, Sykes, Menzies, Baines, Allen, Joseph, Reilly, Roden, I’Anson, Onyango, Robinson, Sutton, Gibbons.

SUPPORTERS are reminded that normal match prices will be charged on Sunday and that the special deals that applied to the last round do not apply to this one. It is a shared gate, all pay.