New signing eyes debut

PAUL Noone trained with Oldham RL for the first time last night — and the new signing is expected to make his Roughyeds debut against Whitehaven at the Whitebank Stadium on Sunday (3pm kick-off).

The 29-year-old former Warrington, Widnes and Barrow second-row forward, who can also play at loose, was reported to be “fit and raring to go”, which was more than could be said of head coach Tony Benson.

The Roughyeds’ team boss, laid low by a virus, took the precaution of staying at home while his second-in-command, Martin Roden, took training. Benson is hoping to be back on duty later in the week.

Ben Heaton, Neil Roden and Andy Isherwood received treatment for knocks during last Saturday’s game at Featherstone, but they are expected to get the all-clear.

Valu Bentley, Dave Ellison and Chris Clarke, who all missed that game, could get a call-up in the Roughyeds’ last warm-up match before the big kick-off against Hunslet Hawks at the Whitebank Stadium in the Northern Rail Cup on Sunday, February 6 (3pm).