Naylor: Changes afoot for cup tie

SCOTT Naylor says he will make team changes this weekend following Oldham’s poor second-half showing against Hemel Stags.

Injury will rule out Liam Thompson and David Cookson for several weeks, but the Roughyeds boss has confirmed that as many as five players might earn call-ups for their first senior game of the season.

Forwards Phil Joy, Mark Hobson and George Tyson and backs Mo Agoro and Edwin

Okanga-Ajwang will all be considered for Saturday’s third-round Tetley’s Challenge Cup tie away to Cumbrian amateurs Egremont Rangers.

Rangers have home advantage, but the tie (3pm kick-off) will be played at the Copeland Stadium, a community sports facility in nearby Whitehaven.

Naylor is expected to finalise his side tonight after fitness checks on full-back Tom Whitehead, who is said to be doubtful with a leg injury.

“I’m not short of players because we’ve put together a squad this year that can cope with early-season injuries like those to Cookson and Thompson,” said Naylor.

“We hardly had any injuries last season, but that was never going to happen again. It was a one-off.

“There’s going to be changes. I wasn’t happy with the way we let Hemel back into the game after we had led 16-0 at half-time without breaking sweat.

“In the first half we showed them a lot of respect and did things right. All we needed in the second half was more of the same, but we didn’t get it.

“All this has been discussed this week, but it’s time now to move on and to prepare for the next game.”