Barber lift for Oldham

RUGBY UNION:

CAPTAIN Gareth Barber is poised to hand Oldham RU a welcome boost for tomorrow’s short trip to De La Salle in North Lancs Cumbria Division One.

The influential stand-off missed the first two games of the season as he recovered from a minor groin operation.

Barber will have a fitness check before the game, but hopes are high he will take his place in the starting XV.

Oldham are strengthened by the return of Mark Goodman, Phil Graham, Will Mellor and Pete Scrivens in the backs and Dean McEwan in the forwards.

Guy Lovegreen’s side are in need of a pick-me-up after losing their first two games of the campaign.

The Manor Park outfit have also failed to score a point IN away-day defeats to Blackburn (29-0) and Upper Eden (18-0).

Previous fixtures against De La Salle have been close affairs, and another is expected tomorrow after the hosts won promotion last season.