Clough looks to put on a show

JOHN Clough hopes Oldham RL Club use Sunday’s pre-season friendly at Featherstone Rovers (3pm kick-off) to demonstrate their Co-operative Championship One promotion credentials.

The Roughyeds hooker believes missing out on a top-four finish this term is not an option and tipped new signings Miles Greenwood and Paul Ballard — his former Blackpool team-mate -— to push the Whitebank club towards glory.

Speaking at the launch of the Northern Rail Cup in Leeds, he said: “Sunday is another chance to get out there, gain some match sharpness and show what we can do.

“The target is promotion this season. It just has to be.

“We have added quality to the side in pre-season. Miles has slotted straight in and looks great, and I know all about Paul from our time at Blackpool.”

Clough expects a cagey encounter at Post Office Road this weekend.

He added: “Featherstone could play quite a few youngsters due to the fact we face them the following week at our place in the Northern Rail Cup.

“Neither side will want to give too much away so we will have to wait and see.”