Swine flu rules out Robinson

CRAIG ROBINSON has contracted swine flu and will not attend any Roughyeds training sessions this week.

The second row forward contacted the national helpline after falling ill at the weekend and is now taking a dose of the anti-viral drug Tamiflu.

In order to prevent the possible spread of the disease among an already injury-hit Oldham squad ahead of Sunday’s Co-operative Championship game away to Blackpool, Robinson will stay at home — though he could ultimately end up in the matchday squad, given the parlous state of coach Tony Benson’s playing resources.

“In addition to Craig, Phil Joseph is very unlikely for this weekend with his hamstring injury,” said Benson, who added that the only other swine flu scare at the club saw Marcus St Hilaire — still out of contention with an Achilles and calf problem — recently miss a week of training due to his wife having a suspected case.

“With a squad that is down to 20 players, it presents us with a problem. On the bright side, Paul Reilly resumed training last night after his ankle injury and we will see how he is today, and Paul Highton did a reasonable session after his knee injection so we will have another look at him on Thursday.”

The deadline for signings for Co-operative Championship One clubs is this Friday and despite the club’s best efforts, it has so far been a struggle to attract new players.

“We have had a couple of opportunities, but so far nothing has come to fruition,” added Benson, who will target at least one second row forward.

Meanwhile, the finite salary cap for clubs in the Championship divisions has been lowered for the 2010 season following changes proposed by clubs that have now been ratified by the RFL board.

At present, the caps in both divisions operate by limiting a club’s player costs to no more than 50-per-cent of income, with an upper limit of £400,000 for sides in the Championship and £200,000 in Championship One.

From next year, player costs can total no more than 40-per-cent of income, with new respective upper limits of £300,000 and £150,000.