Ashton blow for Oldham

under the knife . . . Tom Ashton was rushed into hospital with severe appendicitis.

Oldham RL centre Tom Ashton will be out of Scott Naylor’s plans for several weeks after being taken ill last weekend.

Ashton was rushed to hospital on Sunday morning with severe appendicitis and had an emergency operation the same day. Speaking from his hospital bed, he said: “I’m feeling a little bit better now, but I’ve been really bad. My appendix had burst and there were other complications as well. Once I’m out, I’ll just have to take things one step at a time.”

Club officials, coaching staff and team-mates are more concerned about Ashton’s immediate welfare than his prospects for returning to training, but he will be unavailable for the foreseeable future.

His illness is the club’s second major setback with a vitally important season still in its infancy.

Back-row forward Craig Briscoe, one of four new players signed to bolster Scott Naylor’s squad for the step up to the Championship, ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in a pre-season game at Barrow. He is not expected to play again this year.

Roughyeds moved quickly to sign former Rochdale and North Wales Crusaders forward Gary Middlehurst as a replacement, but he will need a couple of weeks to get fit.

Adam Files trained normally on Tuesday and will be assessed tonight to see if his ankle injury has suffered an adverse reaction. Barring setbacks, will be available on Sunday.

Oldham’s fifth Championship game pairs them with Super League aspirants Bradford Bulls at Bower Fold, Stalybridge (3pm).