OLDHAM are bidding to become the first League 1 side to win at Derwent Park this season.
Workington have lost three of their first seven league games, but they’re unbeaten in League 1 action at home where the only team to win so far this year was Championship outfit London Broncos in the Challenge Cup.
And even that was desperately close — 20-22.
Bradford Bulls were pipped in another thriller and Town now believe they can make Derwent Park into a fortress and go through the league campaign with a 100 per cent home record.
“Overall, we need to be more consistent, but Oldham have also been inconsistent of late. They’re a scalp we’ll be looking to take,” said assistant boss Craig McDowell.
His reference to inconsistency followed defeat at Hunslet, where they let a substantial lead slip and felt the wrath of head coach Leon Pryce, and then what Pryce described as a big response in beating North Wales Crusaders 20-12 at Workington.
“Like all Cumbrian teams they play much better at home than they do away,” said Roughyeds boss Scott Naylor.
Town’s 19-man squad shows four changes from last week with Sam Forrester, the division’s top try scorer, Jonah Cunningham, Scott Akehurst and Larne Patrick (dual reg from Leigh Centurions) dropping out.
Centre Akehurst (knee) has joined an injury list which has also claimed Sean Penkywicz and Gordon Maudling.
Also excluded is new capture Fuifui Moimoi, Tongan-born, whose visa is still awaited.
The four stepping up to the 19 are Jamie Foster, the former St Helens winger; utility back Jordan Tansey; Joe Ryder, a former Warrington Wolves prop; and half-back Scott Leatherbarrow, who was an Oldham player last season.
Carl Forber and Jamie Doran have been regular half-backs and Town fans on social media are suggesting Leatherbarrow might be included in the 17 as hooker James Newton’s replacement off the bench.
Town (from): Oliver Wilkes (capt), Jamie Doran, Caine Barnes (loan), Scott Rooke, Kurt Maudling, Carl Forber, Jamie Foster, Perry Singleton, Jordan Tansey, Scott Leatherbarrow, Stevie Scholey, Joey Ryan, Andrew Dawson, Jack Blagbrough (dual-reg), Karl Ostrom, Nick Gregson (dual-reg), Elliot Miller, James Newton, John Patrick.
