Roberts may face two-match ban

ROBERT Roberts: Disciplinary hearing.

ROUGHYEDS captain Robert Roberts is facing the possibility of a two-match ban which would keep him out of this weekend’s clash with local rivals Swinton and the Northern Rail Cup quarter-final against Featherstone Rovers.

Roberts, accompanied by Oldham’s chief executive Chris Hamilton, goes in front of the RFL’s disciplinary committee in Leeds tonight charged with an alleged use of a raised elbow in the Carnegie Challenge Cup fifth-round defeat to Gateshead two weeks ago.

The incident, which occurred five minutes from time at the Darlington Arena as the 29-year-old forward challenged for a high ball following an Oldham restart, wasn’t originally picked up on by referee Jamie Child.

However, the governing body’s match review panel have since deemed it worthy of a ‘Grade B’ charge which carries with it a verdict ranging from no further action to a two-game suspension.

The club were not prepared to comment on the hearing at this stage.

The loss of the influential skipper for one or both of those games would represent a big blow to Oldham’s chances, while a number of other players could also be absent from the squad lists for those two clashes through injury.

Centres Marcus St Hilaire (calf) and Danny Halliwell (knee) will be checked out at training tonight, as will two players who missed the weekend’s 22-16 win over Hunslet, prop forward Paul Highton (calf) and Tommy Goulden (eye).

Following the Lions test at Sedgley Park, Roughyeds coach Tony Benson will ready his troops for the last-eight Featherstone clash 11 days later.

The latter game, to be broadcast live by Sky Sports, is being played at Leigh’s Sports Village Stadium. Free transport to Leigh is available in conjunction with Atlantic Executive Travel of Heywood and can be booked when fans purchase tickets in advance. The cost is £14 (adults), £10 OAPs and only £1 for under-16s accompanied by an adult.