Oldham coach in pack poser

ALL SET: Mark McCully is back in contention for Oldham’s trip to Gateshead on Sunday.

SAM Cunningham and Phil Joy are on stand-by as acting coach Martin Roden wrestles with pack problems ahead of Oldham’s last game of the regular season at Gateshead Thunder on Sunday (3pm).

Joy, who has had a superb season in the reserve team’s front-row, may be rewarded with his first taste of senior rugby against a Thunder side which caused a major upset by beating Workington Town at home in midweek.

Second-row man Cunningham, another reserve team forward, was given his senior debut off the bench in Oldham’s 40-18 defeat at Doncaster on May 13, but he hasn’t played in the first team since.

Roden said: “I’ve called them both into the squad. They trained with us last night and they’ll be with us again tomorrow morning when I pick the team.”

Roden has lost three props — Luke Stenchion, Jamie Acton and Danny Langtree. A fourth, Jason Boults, is doubtful, while forward Valu Bentley has still to prove his fitness

On a brighter note, threequarters Mark McCully and Chris Murphy are back in contention. At his stage Roden is planning to retain the services of Dave Cookson and Michael Ward at centre and Lucas Onyango and Mark Brocklehurst on the wings.

Mark Brocklehurst will be making his 100th career appearance on Sunday

Oldham currently lie seventh. If they win on Sunday and London Skolars go down at home to Doncaster, Roughyeds will take the play-off spot.








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