Roberts hoping to delay operation

OLDHAM’S Robert Roberts could play on until the end of the season despite a scan showing a complete tear of the medial ligament.

Roughyeds officials received the results of the scan on his injured knee yesterday and are already planning their next move.

The news at least gives coach Tony Benson some hope of getting Roberts back in an Oldham shirt sooner rather than later as they continue their promotion push from The Co-operative Championship One.

Roughyeds chief executive Chris Hamilton said: “It’s better than a partial tear.

“Robert will require an operation at some stage, but our physio reckons there is a chance he could carry on playing with some rehabilitation work.

“At least that way, he’ll be able to complete the season, but it all depends on what the consultant has to say.

“It’s his decision, but obviously an operation after the season is better for Robert and for us.”

Roberts still doesn’t know how the injury occurred, but Oldham are keen to get their influential skipper back on the field of play with a clutch of important games coming up.

It is highly unlikely he will get the all-clear to play at York on Thursday night, which will be Oldham’s first outing since their Northern Rail Cup defeat by Featherstone Rovers at the beginning of the month.

Thomas Coyle is getting on fine with his special ankle support — the device protects against ankle ligament damage and enables him to train as normal — and is on track to make the York line-up, while Marcus St Hilaire (hamstring) and Tommy Goulden (elbow) are training as normal despite suffering from minor knocks.