Roughyeds close in on loan signing

OLDHAM RL hope to sign another player on loan — this time an outside back — in time to play him against South Wales Scorpions at Whitebank on Saturday (kick-off 1pm).

A deal has been agreed and he was expected to complete the paper work later today before training with the Roughyeds for the first time this evening.

“We’ll confirm it once the loose ends have been tied up,” said club chairman Chris Hamilton.

“We’ve gone up a few cul-de-sacs while searching for players this week, but this one will hopefully go through.”

New boy Chris Murphy, the 22-year-old former Warrington and Leigh utility back, is due back soon after being sidelined for four months with a knee injury.

He was hurt in a pre-season game at Whitehaven shortly after joining Roughyeds, but a scan has since dispelled fears that the knee’s ligaments or cartilage had been damaged.

Roughyeds reserves go to Featherstone tomorrow night (8pm kick-off), while the under-18s play Hunslet Hawks away on Saturday (2.30pm) at the South Leeds Stadium.

o KEEN fan John Davies’s sponsored run in the Bupa Great Manchester event raised £450 for the ORSA (Oldham Roughyeds’ Supporters’ Association) Squad Strengthener scheme, which is designed to help the club to bring in new players.

Nigel Marland, ORSA chairman, said: “This was a great gesture by John, who normally runs for a national charity but this time decided to run for Squad Strengthener.

“Our thanks go to him and to everyone who sponsored him.”