Gilchrist ruled out of Whitehaven clash

PROP Liam Gilchrist, who missed Oldham RL Club's defeat by Swinton last weekend because of a groin strain, will again be sidelined when the Roughyeds play Whitehaven in the Northern Rail Cup at Whitebank on Sunday (3pm).

The former St Helens youngster, injured at Halifax 12 days ago, is still under treatment and has no chance of being fit in time to face up to the Cumbrians.

David Ellison was also absent at The Willows so coach Tony Benson went into the Swinton game with only three props – Jason Boults and Luke Sutton, the starting pair, plus Tom Wood-Hulme, who was on the bench.

He hopes to have four front-rowers available this time, however, with Ellison back in the frame.

Benson, who watched the reserves beat Halifax 28-10 at the Whitebank Stadium last night, said: "I won't be naming a side or announcing a squad until the end of the week.

“But Elly (Ellison) is looking good so he will be back in contention and I will have four of our five props ready to go."

Championship and Championship One clubs, including Oldham, will have a two-day get-together in the Lake District next week to discuss proposed changes to the competition's format in 2012.

A new-look set-up for the two divisions beneath Super League moved a step closer last week when RFL chief operating officer Ralph Rimmer met clubs in Leigh to discuss the proposed changes.

Under the proposals, the Championship could be extended from 11 to 12 or up to 14 clubs from next year with others from outside the part-time professional branch of the sport joining a revamped Championship One.

The RFL hope existing clubs from outside the sport's heartlands, in the Midlands, the South-West and South Wales, will be interested in joining the third tier from next year.