Russo set for debut

JAMIE RUSSO and Matty Ashe will both make debuts as Oldham bid to reinvigorate their push for second place in Co-operative Championship One.

Russo, a 22-year-old Australian who has arrived on a short-term deal from Gateshead, will take up one of the two centre spots in the Roughyeds line-up against Hornets RL at Boundary Park on Sunday (3pm kick off). He is also expected to feature in the home clash with London Skolars on Thursday before returning home.

Stand-off Ashe will slot in as a replacement for the suspended Thomas Coyle in the halves. The 23-year-old has been in impressive form for the reserves since joining on loan from Swinton in May.

Richard Mervill is also back in contention for a place in Tony Benson’s squad, which will be finalised after tomorrow morning’s final training session.

Marcus St Hilaire, struggling with an Achilles and calf injury for the past few weeks, could turn out to help fill Benson’s other problem centre role.

“Marcus did half the training last night and we are hopeful he will be okay, though we won’t know for sure until tomorrow,” said Benson.

Dewsbury last night tied up the Championship One title with a crushing 54-14 win away at second-placed Keighley Cougars, who were previously unbeaten at home.

With Oldham only losing 38-8 away at Dewsbury last week, Benson feels the efforts of his men have now been placed in context.

“It shows just what a side Dewsbury are and what an effort we put up over there,” said Benson, who travelled to the Tetley’s Stadium having lost four frontline players and without an assistant coach,

“We kept them out for long periods of the second half, which shows there is no problem with our fitness or commitment.”

The Roughyeds will overtake Keighley in the standings should they defeat Hornets RL, who are likely to be without centres Marlon Miller and Casey Mayberry.

Oldham (from): O’Connor, Onyango, Goulden, Baines, Greenwood, N Roden, Ashe, Sykes, Kerr, Robinson, Boothroyd, Joseph, I’Anson, Sutton, M Roden, Heaton, Mervill, Russo, St Hilaire.