Oldham duo facing fitness tests

Steve Roper

OLDHAM are counting the cost of their gutsy performance at Leigh, in which half-back Steve Roper and replacement prop Liam Thompson were forced to quit in the first half after taking knocks to the head.

The pair will be assessed at training tonight ahead of Sunday’s visit by Dewsbury Rams to the Roughyeds’ Bower Fold, Stalybridge home.

Head injuries must to be monitored - in some cases with statutory tests - so it may not be known until later in the week whether either will be fit to play.

If Roper was to miss out it would be a chance to bring back new signing Danny Grimshaw - who will also be checked tonight after missing the first two league games with ankle and calf injuries.

Craig Briscoe, another new boy this season, has had a scan on the knee he damaged in the pre-season win at Barrow and the club expects the results in the next couple of days.

As partner club Huddersfield Giants currently have a long injury list, dual-reg players have not been available for Oldham’s opening games.

Giants don’t have a game this weekend so that might work in Oldham’s favour against a Dewsbury side currently fourth in the Championship.