Onyango keen to grab chance

Lucas Onyango: In line to face Workington.

LUCAS ONYANGO gets a chance to impress when Oldham travel to Workington, while there could also be an opportunity for one of the club’s outstanding youngsters.

The country’s leading points scorer Andy Ballard is missing for only the second time this season as a result of a minor back injury and Onyango, who has been chomping at the bit for chances this year, slots in as a straight replacement on the right wing for Sunday’s Co-operative Championship One fixture.

The other two absentees from the side which lost 20-18 at York last week are Paul Highton, whose swollen knee meant he couldn’t take part in last night’s opposed training session against the reserves, and Paul Reilly, who has broken his nose in successive matches.

Phil Joseph makes a welcome return to the ranks after work commitments prevented him from playing last time out, Dave Allen is back in the pack and there could just be a chance for Chris Clarke to show what he is made of.

Players’ player of the year in last year’s second team, 19-year-old Clarke - a hard working second rower - is in at 18th man as a reward for his efforts, following in the footsteps of fellow youngster Scott Mansfield who performed the same role on the away trip to London Skolars.

“Chris has been excellent for the reserves and there is a decent chance that he will end up playing, bearing in mind that on four or five occasions this year the 18th man has ended up in the side due to a late injury,” said coach Tony Benson of the Oldham St Anne’s product.

Oldham: O’Connor; Onyango, Halliwell, St Hilaire, Greenwood; Roden, J Coyle; Boults, Sykes, Robinson, Allen, Goulden, Baines. Subs: I’Anson, Kerr, Joseph, T Coyle. 18th man: Clarke.

OLDHAM’S reserves seek a fourth win of the season when taking on Whitehaven at Sedgley Park tomorrow (2.30pm).