New boy on the road to recovery

OLDHAM RL new boy Liam Thompson is recovering from successful surgery to repair a damaged shoulder.

The 20-year-old former Widnes Vikings back-row forward is expected to be fully fit for the start of the Northern Rail Cup campaign in early March.

Coach Scott Naylor has high hopes of Thompson, who played for England Schoolboys and spent three years in the Wigan Warriors academy before moving to Widnes.

Roughyeds signed him in October on a one-year deal, knowing he would need an operation to repair a torn shoulder muscle.

Naylor said: “I know what he has been going through and what he needs to do now to get his career back on track.

“I spoke to him 48 hours after the operation. He now faces a long job and a lot of hard work to get himself ready to play again.

“One thing is for sure, we won’t be rushing him.” Naylor, meanwhile, has confirmed the club's intention to add to a playing roster that numbers 21 — nine backs and 12 forwards.

Naylor said he and the club were “looking hard” for more new players and hoped to have some by the turn of the year.



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