Boults back to boost Benson

OLDHAM’S players engaged in a frank get-together last night, pinpointing the areas which need to be improved in order to get the promotion campaign back on track.

The quality of the first training session since the weekend’s 36-12 home loss to Dewsbury pleased coach Tony Benson, who was boosted by the return of Jason Boults, back from a spell working overseas.

“It was a good, tough session and we also had a team meeting where we talked about where we are at and what we need to do in order to get past Dewsbury when we meet them again,” said Benson, whose side face Swinton Lions at Boundary Park on Sunday.

Captain Robert Roberts could be back in the side to provide some leadership in the pack for that game. Struggling with a rib problem sustained in the Roughyeds’ only other Co-operative Championship One league defeat at Keighley a month ago, the influential second row man trained as normal and his condition will be further checked at the next session on Thursday.

Danny Halliwell couldn’t take part last night due to his quad injury picked up in the Dewsbury defeat.

Of those who were unable to play against the Rams, Paul Reilly (ankle) and Neil Roden (back) appeared to get through their work without any problems, but Phil Joseph (hip and groin) is still struggling.

One man who definitely won’t be turning out in the Swinton game is prop Richard Mervill, who has work commitments.