Naylor weighs his options

OLDHAM'S Grand Final line-up won't necessarily be the one that got them to the big end-of-season shindig at Headingley.

The 17 who beat Hunslet 25-24 then raised the play-off bar to win 31-12 at York will be widely tipped by supporters and pundits to play again.

But Coach Scott Naylor insists he won’t decide until tomorrow or Saturday: "We've got a couple of players nursing bumps and bruises, but I'm expecting everybody to come through," said Naylor.

"Having said that, I won't be averse to doing some tweaking and making the odd change if I think I need to. I have some fresh lads raring to be given another chance."

Naylor is telling fans as much as he can without tipping off Hunslet coach Barry Eaton about his plans.

Oldham will warm up in new tops sponsored by Housing Association Regenda and carrying a picture of four-year-old mentally and physically disabled boy Joe Joe Atherton.

The club has adopted his family's appeal for help, and Joe Joe - Joseph - will be the Roughyeds' big-game mascot, leading out the team in his wheelchair.

Adam Files, the young hooker who has been out for most of the season with what was thought to be a serious knee injury, has been cleared to resume full training after his latest scan indicated nothing wrong.

"It's unbelievable," said Naylor. "We fully expected him to be going in for surgery, but instead he's been told he can start training again.