Fringe players in chance to impress

martin roden . . . first appearance for Oldham in 2011.

OLDHAM RL coach Tony Benson rings the changes in his squad to play Whitehaven at the Whitebank Stadium on Sunday (3pm kick-off), with the Roughyeds’ latest signing, Paul Noone, set to make his debut.

The 29-year-old former Super League star, a top forward at Championship outfit Barrow in the last two seasons, is in a provisional squad of 20 for the club’s third and final pre-season game, which will be contested for the SEAT Trophy.

Whitehaven are the holders of the silverware, having retained it last year when they defeated Benson’s men at the Recreation Ground in Howard Hill’s testimonial match.

Roughyeds would love to win it for the first time and place it alongside the Law Cup, which they wrestled from Rochdale’s grasp with a 34-28 win three weeks ago.

“We’ll be going all out to win this one as well,” said Benson. “But in terms of preparation for the season ahead, there are other things we need to do as well as strive to produce a winning performance.”

Jason Boults, John Clough, Ben Wood, Scott Mansfield and Jamie Knight, who have played in both friendlies so far, sit this one out.

They are replaced by Martin Roden, Dave Ellison, Valu Bentley, Chris Clarke and Noone. Both hooker Roden and Clarke are set to put on their boots for the first time this year.

Benson added: “These games are all about giving everybody in the squad a fair crack. After this game we’ll be getting close to knowing what the starting line-up will be.

“We’ll be looking at the fringe players to see which areas of their game we need to work on and we’ll also be looking to perfect a basic plan which will stay with us all year.

“Having said all that, there is silverware on offer for the winners and we’ll be going flat out to win it.”

Seven replacements will be allowed, but the starting line-up and subs will not be determined until later.