Time runs out for Roden

NEIL Roden inspired Oldham to victory in the home game against Workington, but will miss Sunday’s reverse fixture.

NEIL Roden, Oldham RL Club's influential pivot, will miss his fourth game in a row when the Roughyeds go to Workington Town on Sunday (3pm).

It was hoped at one stage that the club's long-serving 30-year-old outside-half would have recovered from a broken toe in time to begin his comeback at Derwent Park.

"He ran with us on Tuesday night for the first time in a month," said coach Tony Benson.

“But he needs a bit more time. He's nearly there – but not quite."

Matty Ashe and loan signing Gregg McNally look certain to be pulling the strings at half-back again, and McNally will be looking for a big game in his native West Cumbria.

As a Whitehaven boy, and a former 'Haven player, he will want to make an impact against his home-town club's fierce derby rivals.

The 19-year-old Huddersfield Giants half-back had a tough debut in Roughyeds’ 60-4 mauling by Hunslet and like everybody else in the Oldham squad he will be determined to make amends at Derwent Park.

“We’ve got to put Hunslet behind us and prepare for another real battle up there,” said Benson. “Town have a big pack and their pitch is narrow. They will be ready to go, but so will we.”

Roughyeds will field a similar side to last week’s, Benson having named a 19-man squad comprising the 17 who played against Hunslet plus Scott Mansfield and Luke Sutton.

Craig Robinson has been suffering this week from a pulled groin and he will have a fitness test tomorrow.

Centre Mick Fogerty, who has had a stomach complaint, was told to rest at home this week —to reduce the risk of infection spreading through the squad —but he is fine now and will play.

Oldham (from): Ashe, Boults, Chandler, Clarke, Ellison, Fogerty, Gillam, Heaton, Hodson, Kerr, Mansfield, McNally, O’Connor, Onyango, Reilly, Robinson, M Roden, Sutton, Whitmore.

Roughyeds reserves will bid to complete a double at home to York tomorrow after winning 26-18 away from home last month.

A newcomer, who will be in the starting line-up, is 17-year-old winger Danny Chetwynd from Rochdale RU club.

Oldham: Coates, Hamilton,J Knight, Williams, Chetwynd, Fullalove, Diveney, Mellor, Hatton, Kinney, Watkins, Ward, Smith, Barrowclough, Cadd, D Knight, Kellet, Lowe, Joy, Marsden.