Ford on track for return

RECOVERING: Jon Ford.

SCOTT Naylor hasn't given up on seeing injured centre Jon Ford in Oldham colours again before this exciting season ends.

The 19-year-old Salford City Reds prospect has spent most of the campaign at Whitebank on loan or on dual registration, but dislocated an elbow in the 44-24 win at London Skolars in early August and missed the last two games against Gloucester and Rochdale.

Nearly four weeks on, Naylor has set his sights on coaching Oldham to the play-off final at Leigh on September 29, by which time he believes Ford might be ready to play again.

Said the Roughyeds boss: “His cast has been removed and everything is looking good.

“Anything before the final might be a little bit too soon for him, but if we were to get there I would like to think he would definitely be available.”

Only North Wales winger Rob Massam, with 16, has scored more Championship One tries than Ford, who is one of three Oldham players in the top seven.

The challenge for Naylor and his backroom staff is to make sure the squad is primed and ready for action again in the September 15 play-off after a month without a serious game.

They were given a private run-out against a young Salford City Reds outfit last night in readiness for tomorrow's friendly with a Leigh side at Whitebank (3pm kick-off).

Said Naylor: “We’ll be taking it relatively seriously because it may be the only game we’ll get before the play-off in two weeks. It would be nice to get another friendly on September 8, but there are no guarantees. It’s proving difficult.”