Roughyeds ready to face big test

ROUGHYEDS coach Tony Benson says his side are fully aware of the importance of the Dewsbury game this Sunday – yet can’t wait to get stuck into it.

Oldham face the Rams, who currently boast a 100-per-cent record from three games played in Co-operative Championship One, at Boundary Park (3pm) in a fixture which will have a big influence on who claims this year’s sole automatic promotion spot.

Having suffered a defeat at Keighley, the Roughyeds aren’t contemplating losing to the pre-season joint title favourites, especially at a ground which has become a fortress in recent years.

“We have been excellent in training,” said Benson, who has Paul Highton (wrist) and Tommy Goulden (hamstring) back in his squad.

“The players are absolutely ready for the game. We fully understand the importance of it and are all looking forward to it.”

Phil Joseph (hip and groin) may drop out of the 19-man squad following tomorrow morning’s final preparatory training session,

At this stage, it is unlikely that any of the six first-team squad members playing for the reserves tonight – Wayne Kerr, Jamie I’Anson, Craig Littler, Lucas Onyango, Mark Smith and Luke Sutton – will double up and play against Dewsbury, barring late injuries.

Dewsbury coach Warren Jowitt has one main injury concern, with prop James Walker carrying a shoulder problem, but at the same time is boosted by the return to action of stand-off Ryan Smith and hooker Jimmy Elston.

Prop forward Adam Robinson, formerly of Oldham, is expected to line up against brother Craig.

Oldham (from): O’Connor; Ballard, Greenwood, Halliwell, St Hilaire, Reilly, J Coyle, Roden, T Coyle, Gibbons, Sykes, Highton, Robinson, Menzies, Mervill, Goulden, Allen, Baines, Joseph.

Oldham’s reserves play their first league fixture in the reserve team first division tonight, with Hunslet travelling over to take on John Hough and Leo Casey’s men at Sedgley Park (7.30pm).