McNally: I want to stay

GREGG McNally, Oldham’s loan capture from Huddersfield Giants, would be delighted to extend his stay at Whitebank Stadium if the opportunity arose.

Speaking after his fourth and final game of a one-month loan agreement at Whitebank, the classy 19-year-old half-back said: “I’ve enjoyed playing for the Roughyeds and I would love to stay longer.

“But it’s not just down to me — it’s mainly down to the two clubs, and I haven’t heard anything. Perhaps they will be talking in the next few days.”

Roughyeds chief Chris Hamilton will be aware that coach Tony Benson is a big admirer of the young Cumbrian, who has helped to steer Roughyeds to a three-point lead at the top of Co-operative Championship One with three wins from four outings during his initial loan period.

Benson would not be drawn on the McNally situation after yesterday’s 28-18 win against Doncaster (See Page 33), but he did say: “He looks very much part of us now, doesn’t he? He looks as though he has been with us for ever.

“But it’s something that is really up to Chris (Hamilton), to Gregg himself and to Huddersfield Giants.”

Roughyeds have a three-week break now before they go to bottom-club Gateshead Thunder early next month.

Centre Mick Fogerty pulled a groin in an outstanding individual display yesterday, but the biggest worries are Luke Sutton, who didn’t play against Doncaster because of a knee injury, and Ben Heaton, who suffered a suspected broken thumb and was forced to withdraw at half-time.