Concern for duo

OLDHAM back-row men Paul Noone and Paul Smith are doubtful for Friday’s Challenge Cup-tie at St Helens after picking up injuries in the 20-20 draw at London Skolars.

Noone will have a precautionary x-ray on a damaged shin and Smith’s pulled hamstring will be assessed at training tomorrow.

It was a double whammy for Tony Benson’s men ahead of their fifth-round clash at Langtree Park (8pm kick-off).

“There are a couple of players with niggles, but the two Pauls, our senior back-rowers, are our major injury worries,” said Benson.

A disappointed Smith, who had to quit in the first few minutes of the London game, said: “I can hardly walk and I am really struggling.

Benson said while it was disappointing not to beat Skolars there were several positives from the game, not least the performance of new signing Graham Holroyd.

He added: “Graham did well. He’s been out of the game a long time and it will take him a week or two to get back into the swing of things.

Holroyd had a major part to play in the build-up to two of Oldham’s four tries and failed narrowly to win the game when his last-minute, long-range kick passed narrowly wide.




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