New-boy Nisbet in 21-man squad

NEW on-loan signing Tom Nisbet, from St Helens, goes straight into Oldham’s 21-man squad for Sunday’s Betfred Championship game at York City Knights.

The 21-year-old winger or full-back, a member of Saints’ first-team squad, is one of three changes. Back in, after injury, is strong-running forward Tyler Dupree, while hooker Jamie Abram, younger brother of Dan, is called up for the first time.

The three who go out are all injured — centre Ben Heaton, stand-off Lewis Charnock and forward Jack Spencer.

Big, powerful forwards Liam Kirk and Danny Bridge were in last week’s 21, but didn’t play, as were backs Heaton and Charnock.

Seven days on, the prospects for Dupree, Kirk and Bridge look much brighter.

Squad: D Abram, J Abram, Bent, Bridge, Brierley, Dupree, Fletcher, Green, Gregory, Hartley, Hewitt, Hutchings, Ince, Kirk, Langtree, Nelmes, Nisbet, Owen, Pick, Reilly, Roberts.

The game will be played at the city’s brand-new LNER Community Stadium (3pm) and it will be a big day for the Knights, who will be playing there for the first time in front of fans.

Only home fans will be allowed in — 1,000 — but Oldham fans can watch on Our League for £4.95 if they purchase before the day of the game.

The City Knights have won three of their six Championship games so far, all away, at Swinton (64-16), Dewsbury (30-20) and Widnes (35-14).

They’ve played five times in their new home and have lost all five –against Hull FC in a pre-season friendly, against Wigan Warriors in the Challenge Cup and against Toulouse Olympique (21-6), Sheffield Eagles (20-14) and Featherstone Rovers (16-12) in the Championship.

Among their better-known players are Ryan Atkins (ex-Warrington), Keiran Dixon (ex-Hull KR and London Broncos), Chris Clarkson and Adam Cuthbertson (ex-Leeds), Danny Kirmond and Ben Jones-Bishop (ex-Wakefield) and Danny Washbrook (ex-Hull FC).

Squad: Marsh, Bass, Salter, Atkins, K Dixon, R Dixon, Jubb, Clarkson, Scott, Cuthbertson, Brining, Baldwinson, Stock, Kirmond, Green, Jones-Bishop, Washbrook, Dean, Nikau, Lewis, McDonnell.

Round 7 — Sunday May 23, 2021