Injuries hamper Oldham play-offs build-up

OLDHAM are waiting for fitness reports on all three half-backs ahead of Friday night's big game in Leeds.

Lewis Palfrey, Brett Robinson and Steve Roper will be assessed at training tonight as preparations begin for five-club Kingstone Press Championship One play-off series.

Roughyeds go to the South Leeds Stadium (8pm kick-off) to play Hunslet in a second v third qualifier, having been beaten twice at the same venue with Scott Naylor in charge - 36-10 in the Challenge Cup and 38-12 in Championship One. A late try by Josh Crowley gave Naylor's men a 24-23 triumph in the return game at Whitebank.

"We haven't done very well at Hunslet in recent years, but we are due to put on a good performance there and Friday could be our day," said Roughyeds chairman Chris Hamilton.

"If we lose we get a home game in the next round but there's only one thing on our minds and that's to go over there and win."

Naylor is also waiting for an update from Salford about George Tyson. The young back-row forward, on loan from the Super League club, was in stunning form until he hurt a knee and didn’t play against Gateshead or Gloucester.

Added Hamilton: "Injury concerns and ups and downs take on extra significance at play-off time.

“It was no disgrace to finish third behind the two teams who came down from the Championship and kept the same players. But we must be due a change of luck at this business end of the season.”