Walker debut on the cards

JOHNNY Walker, the ex-Wigan forward whom Oldham signed on pro forms six weeks ago, will be in the mix when coach Tony Benson considers his selection options for Sunday's derby clash with Rochdale Hornets at Whitebank (3pm kick-off).

The 22-year-old back-row man, on contract to the Roughyeds until the end of next season, is still waiting for his senior debut although he has been 18th man for the last two games.

The provisional squad comprises the 17 who won at York last Sunday, plus Greg McNally, Luke Sutton, Craig Robinson, Scott Mansfield, Alistair Williams and Walker.

The Roughyeds could still finish top of Championship One and earn automatic promotion, but the probability is that they will go into the play-offs in pole position.

In preparation for that, Benson's plan is to give enough players game time to ensure that changes, enforced or otherwise, will not adversely affect the smooth running of the operation.

Oldham (from): O'Connor, Onyango, St Hilaire, Williams, Fogerty, Gillam, N Roden, Ashe, McNally, Boults, M Roden, Whitmore, Mansfield, Kerr, Clarke, Ellison, Sutton, Robinson, Chandler, Heaton, Bentley, Hodson, Walker.

Reserves (home to Leigh tomorrow, 2pm): Coates, Dennis, Williams, J Knight, Chetwynd, Hatton, Connick, Raftery, Mansfield, Sutton, Robinson, Smith, Brocklehurst, Barrowclough, Shepherd, Mellor, Ward, Lowe, Kellett, Cadd, Joy.