LUKE Nelmes is included in Mike Ford’s 21-man squad for Sunday’s local derby away at Rochdale Hornets, after serving his one-match suspension.
Nelmes, who was forced to sit out the 56-4 victory over Cornwall after he was charged with a grade C striking offence, replaces Jamie Ellis in the squad.
The half-back, who signed for the club last month and is yet to make his debut, damaged his hamstring in one of his first training sessions.
Roughyeds will be looking to do the double over rivals Rochdale – who they failed to beat in three attempts last year.
Hornets are currently in seventh place and with two games in-hand over Crusaders who currently occupy the last play-off spot.
Gary Thornton’s men ran in-form Hunslet close in the recent 22-35 loss, pointing towards an entertaining encounter on Sunday.
“We have trained really well; in big games like this you need to be intense,” said assistant coach Brendan Sheridan.
“It’s never easy going over there because it is always tough when you play Rochdale.
“They’re a good side and have a good calibre of players but it’s about how we prepare for that.
‘If we concentrate on ourselves and our own game, we come away with the win.’
The game at the Crown Oil Arena is the first of three games coming up for Roughyeds who, on Wednesday, return to Boundary Park for the first time since 2009.
Afterwards, Oldham are back to the Vestacare next Sunday to take on Midlands ahead of the play-offs a week later.
Admission prices for Sunday’s derby against Rochdale are £15 for adults, £10 for concessions, £5 students and free for under-16s.
Tickets can be bought over on the Hornets website.
Squad in full: Ah Van, Baker, Bardsley, Blagbrough, Cameron, Carr, Hartley, Hirst, Johnson, McNally, Meadows, Moran, Morgan, Nelmes, Newton, Rawsthorne, Ridyard, Slater, Tyrer, Whittel, Wilkinson.
