Danny’s big chance

TEENAGE forward Danny Rasool is the latest Whitebank youngster to catch the eye of Oldham RL Club’s head coach Scott Naylor.

The 17-year-old, a Warrington boy, has been rewarded for his hard work in the Roughyeds’ under-20s by receiving an invitation to train with the first team for the rest of the season.

“It’s a step-up for him and a gentle nudge that we are keeping an eye on him,” said Naylor. “We like the look of what we have seen, not only in games but also in training.

“Potentially, he’s one for the future; maybe next season. In the meantime, he’ll continue to play with the second team, but he will gain a lot from training with the senior squad and becoming familiar with it.”

Rasool, 6ft 1in, played for Warrington amateurs Crosfields, but his commitment to Oldham is such that he has missed neither a game nor a single training session since they began last January.

He joined Oldham after under-20s coach Phil Costin, acting on a tip-off, was suitably impressed while watching him in action for Crosfields.

Costin said: “Danny richly deserves this recognition, further proof that we have a ready-made pathway from under-20s to first team for players who have the potential to make it.

“He’s young with a lot to learn, but he has terrific potential.”

Five members of the senior squad — Danny Langtree, Phil Joy, Steven Nield, Michael Ward and David Cookson — all graduated to Naylor’s promotion-seeking outfit from the second team.