Oldham wait on Roberts

ROUGHYEDS captain Robert Roberts has emerged as an injury worry following the 32-18 reverse against Featherstone which ended home interest in this year’s Northern Rail Cup competition.

The loose forward has a swollen knee which renders him currently unavailable for training.

It isn’t thought to be too serious a problem, though a more detailed prognosis should emerge later this week.

Paul Reilly, who broke his nose in the quarter-final tie, has had it reset and is in line to keep hold of the full-back position for the York game on Thursday, June 25 — Oldham’s next fixture in a barren patch of the season.

Marcus St Hilaire was struggling against Rovers with his troublesome hamstring problem and he will also be examined at training this week, along with Thomas Coyle, who missed out on the Featherstone match with an ankle injury.

Elsewhere in the Northern Rail Cup quarter-finals played across the weekend, Championship One leaders Dewsbury gave Barrow an almighty fright before succumbing to a 20-18 defeat at Craven Park.

Only a Liam Harrison try two minutes from time prevented the Rams from upsetting the odds and progressing to the last four.

Barrow have since been drawn to face Oldham’s conquerers Featherstone at home in the semi-finals, with the other last-four tie pitting Halifax — who saw off the challenge of visiting Leigh 54-16 — at home to Widnes, who were 44-18 winners at the Stobart Stadium against York.