Chance for trio

AT least three young players who have previously had trials in the Oldham RL reserves team have resurfaced in the new under-23s squad to be operated in the coming season by derby rivals Rochdale Hornets.

Steven Lynch and Jacob Kinney, who played for Roughyeds in 2010, and Paul Brearley, who played for John Hough's men last season, are named in a provisional Hornets side to play the Rochdale amateur town team at Mayfield tonight (7.30pm kick-off).

Coach John Stankevitch will field a young side and he has also intimated that he will do something similar when Hornets come to Whitebank on Monday (3pm kick-off) to face Tony Benson's men in the traditional pre-season Law Cup fixture.

The Hornets team boss, who now has a seat on the board, said: "We want to win at Oldham. But if it means picking our strongest team, which then has an adverse impact on the progression of the younger generation, it's not something I'm going to do.

"My intention in the pre-season games and even in the Northern Rail Cup is to expose our youngsters to as much competitive rugby as possible because it will ultimately be these players who will take the club to the next level."

The Oldham players were given a full week off over Christmas, but they will reassemble tomorrow night and will be in again on Saturday when Benson announces his squad for the derby battle.

He intends to play four of his five new signings — forwards Danny Heaton, Paul Smith, Neil Rigby and Bruce Johnson.

Certain items of new Roughyeds leisure wear for 2012, including polo shirts and hoodies, will be on sale at Whitebank before, during and after the game.