Onyango wings his way back

LUCAS ONYANGO: welcome return from serious injury.

FANS' favourite Lucas Onyango is back on Oldham's right wing tonight for the first time in 11 months.

With John Gillam and Shaun Robinson out injured, the Kenyan is fast-tracked to the senior side in the Carnegie Challenge Cup third-round tie against Cumbrian amateurs Egremont at Whitehaven (8pm kick-off).

Since rupturing an Achilles tendon last May he has played only 40 minutes of reserve-team rugby — three weeks ago, when he tweaked a hamstring.

Onyango for Paul Ballard is one of three changes to the side which put seven tries past Gateshead Thunder last Sunday to become early leaders of Co-operative Championship One.

Out go Ballard, Mark McCully and Paul Smith; in come Onyango, Matthew Fogarty and Bruce Johnson.

Said coach Tony Benson: "It's the strongest line-up available. Competition for places is hot when you look at the players who are not on duty tonight.

"In every game this season they will have to go flat out to keep their spot for the next match."




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