Brocklehurst set for Lions clash

HAVING cleared a two-match ban, Oldham RL Club’s free-scoring utility back Mark Brocklehurst will be in line to return to the side against unbeaten Championship One leaders Swinton Lions at The Willows on Friday (8pm kick-off).

Play-anywhere Brocklehurst, the club’s leading try scorer this year, would appear to be an obvious replacement for injured centre Mick Fogerty, although he can play equally well at full-back or on the wing.

On-loan half-back Carl Forber, a Swinton player, must also sit this one out as he is barred from playing against the Lions under the terms of the loan agreement.

Prop Jason Boults, injured in the first few minutes at Caerphilly, is struggling with a damaged ankle and is said to have no more than a slim chance of playing on Friday.

Hoping to return to action with Brocklehurst will be Marcus St Hilaire, who has been out with a hand injury, and winger John Gillam, who damaged ligaments in a foot in the Challenge Cup defeat at Hull 16 days ago.

Gillam has an outside chance, at best, and it won’t be known until later in the week whether St Hilaire will be ready in time.

Among other players nursing knocks are Neil Roden and Martin Roden, but coach Tony Benson is hopeful they will be cleared before he sits down to finalise his line-up at training on Thursday.

While Swinton were getting trounced 112-0 in the Challenge Cup by Warrington last weekend, Roughyeds had a Sunday off, much to Benson’s delight.

“We’ve worked really hard since that South Wales defeat,” he said. “We had a team meeting last Tuesday, followed by tough sessions on Thursday and Saturday.”