Cotton concern

WINGER Zac Cotton (hip) is Oldham RL Club’s latest injury concern ahead of next Sunday’s grand final showdown against Widnes Vikings at Whitebank (3pm) in the reserves’ under-23s Championship play-off series.

Vikings, who finished top of the table, beat third-placed Leigh 44-18 on Saturday to set up an Oldham-Widnes final, in which Roughyeds get home advantage thanks to their 46-22 win at Widnes 10 days ago.

Oldham, in second place, finished six points behind the league leaders, but John Hough’s men have beaten them twice on Merseyside, winning 28-22 in the league before running in eight tries in their latest play-off triumph.

Cotton scored a cracking try in that match, but he has since reported a troublesome hip which prevented him training on Saturday when Hough put his squad through a vigorous hill-running session around Strinesdale reservoirs.

Also absent were goalkicking half-back Jamie Dallimore, who is having treatment for a pulled hamstring, and prop Matty Barber, who has a sore back.

“At this stage I would rate their chances at 50-50, but we will be monitoring them closely all week,” said Hough.

Anyone intending to be at the fans’ forum at the Whitebank on Thursday (7.30pm) is asked to buy a ticket in advance from the club’s office in Lansdowne Road, Chadderton (open 9am to 5pm) or ring the club on (0161) 628 3677 to confirm their attendance for catering purposes.

First up, chairman Chris Hamilton will deal with matters relating to Whitebank, to be followed by coaches Tony Benson, John Hough and Phil Costin, who will talk rugby.