Benson thankful for Roughyeds break

ONLY eight players managed to train fully last night, leaving Roughyeds coach Tony Benson thanking his lucky stars that the club is without a fixture this weekend.

The bruising schedule of recent weeks has taken its toll on a thin Oldham squad, who will all now embark on a four-day break before resuming training duties next Tuesday.

Jamie I’Anson (wrist), Chris Baines (ankle and groin), Paul Highton (knee), Luke Menzies (shoulder), Neil Roden (ankle), Lee Greenwood (collar bone and shoulder) and Jason Boults (back) are the main men suffering at present.

Three members of medical staff were present to treat those players who needed looking at and the hope is that, given the two-week break between games, most will be ready for action when the Roughyeds travel to face Hunslet in the final Co-operative Championship One league game of the season.

“As we were very limited in numbers due to various lumps and bumps, we used last night as a rejuvenation session more than anything else,” said Benson.

“We will start again on Tuesday and build from there for the very important Hunslet match.”

Oldham need at least a bonus point at the South Leeds Stadium to guarantee finishing in fourth place.

Fingers will also be crossed that on the previous evening Swinton can win at York – a result which would open up the possibility of the Roughyeds ending the campaign in third spot.