Oldham Rugby League Club will be without young hooker Sean Slater, who has a knee injury, when they begin their 25th Anniversary Betfred League One season with Sunday's clash against Keighley Cougars at the Vestacare Stadium (3pm kick-off).
Twenty-year-old, Oldham-born Slater has a torn medial ligament which could keep him sidelined for six weeks or more.
"It's a setback for any player, but it's especially difficult for a young fella who is new to the club and was excited about playing for his home-town club," said Roughyeds' boss Stuart Littler.
"Mentally, he needs all the support he can get - and he will certainly get it from everyone at the club."
Jack Arnold, Jordan Andrade and Calvin Wellington, who all missed the pre-season friendly win at Keighley two weeks ago, are back in full training but a fourth absentee that day, Jason Muranka, sees a consultant this week as part of the RFL's head-injury protocols.
The club has appealed to fans to take a friend and double the gate and has targeted a crowd of 1,000 at each of its ten home league games this season.
Furthermore, every mum who attends the Keighley game on Mothers' Day will be given a daffodil and entered into a free draw, the first prize of which is a spa day for two with afternoon tea.
Game-day hospitality for any mum with a full-paying adult is half-price at £15.
