Naylor planning changes

SCOTT Naylor plans to tinker with his promotion-chasing Oldham squad to play Gloucester All Golds at Whitebank on Sunday.

Roughyeds’ last home game of the season is one they must win to retain hopes of pipping North Wales Crusaders to the Championship One title.

Once that game is out of the way, Naylor’s league leaders will play a televised derby clash at Rochdale next Thursday (7pm) to end their season.

To be promoted automatically Oldham need to win their last two games - and hope Crusaders lose one of their remaining four against Hemel Stags, Oxford, South Wales and London Skolars.

Said Naylor: “These are massive games for us and they’re only four days apart. I’m going to make changes for that reason alone. It’s a balancing act.”

Naylor will have to make at least one change in his back division because centre Jon Ford is probably out for the season with a dislocated elbow.

The Oldham boss is giving nothing away, but Ford’s likely replacement would be David Cookson, who returned to training last night.

Among others fancied to stake a claim is new boy Tom Whitehead, who has played one game at full-back but is also said to be good as half-back, hooker and loose-forward.