Joseph poised to boost Roughyeds

PHIL JOSEPH

POWERFUL loose forward Phil Joseph could be in line to provide the Roughyeds with a massive boost for the vital home game against play-off rivals York.

Having had his best form of the season curtailed by a hamstring problem sustained against London Skolars, the initial diagnosis had Joseph out for three to four weeks — possibly ruling him out of the remainder of the Co-operative Championship One season.

The ex-Huddersfield and Hull KR star then came through a training session unscathed earlier this week after the problem responded favourably to treatment.

Joseph will be checked out again at tonight’s session and there is no doubt that coach Tony Benson will be keen to utilise the 24-year-old’s bullocking runs in the final home game of the season.

Another former Giants player, Marcus St Hilaire, may also be back for the Knights clash at Boundary Park.

The centre hasn’t played since hurting his Achilles and calf in the 60-6 victory away at Workington six weeks ago, but has been close to a return on several occasions since.

Richard Mervill won’t play against York and could be out for the rest of the year if a scan confirms he has torn a bicep.

Jamie I’Anson is set to battle through the pain despite still carrying a very sore arm, a problem which will need the attention of a specialist at the end of the season, while Lucas Onyango (knee) and Neil Roden (ankle) should be fine.

Paul Highton, out since the away game at York in late June, is still feeling some soreness in his knee and will be assessed tonight.

OLDHAM’S reserves sign off the season tonight with an away fixture against York at the Huntington Stadium (8pm kick off).

The line-up is again likely to feature winger Ben Seru, who scored a length-of-field try in his comeback appearance for the second team at Leigh last week.