Joseph worry for Roughyeds

PHIL JOSEPH has emerged as a major injury doubt for Oldham and could miss the rest of the season.

The bulldozing loose forward, who has been in such inspirational form of late, has a suspected torn hamstring and will be examined in training tonight by club physio Rachael Johnson in order to get some idea of how serious the injury is.

Joseph was forced off the field in the home win over London Skolars last week with the problem, though he was understood to be keen to get back on later in the game.

“Phil doesn’t think it is that bad,” said Roughyeds chief executive Chris Hamilton, who is continuing in his efforts to bring in new players before Friday’s deadline.

“We don’t yet know if it is a tear or just a pull, but if it is the former then he could be looking at missing our remaining games.”

Matty Ashe, who scored a second-half try on his home debut against Skolars, also injured himself during the game but is not thought to be a serious doubt at this stage for Sunday’s Co-operative Championship One trip to face Blackpool, while hopes are high that Paul Reilly (ankle) and Marcus St Hilaire (Achilles and calf) will be fit to return to reinforce the centres.

One new face expected to be present at tonight’s training session is Ben Seru.

Having finally been given the green light to resume his fledgling professional rugby league career by his Army bosses following a knee reconstruction, the Fiji-born Royal Engineers sapper is likely to be included in reserve team coach John Hough’s squad which travels to face Leigh on Saturday.

That game is being played at Twist Lane, home of amateur club Leigh Miners Rangers, with a noon kick-off.