WITH Ben Davies out because of a gashed mouth and Jack Spencer doubtful while he goes through head-knock protocol, Oldham have signed a young prop from Halifax, initially on a month’s loan.
Frazer Morris (22), who lives in Huddersfield, trained with Roughyeds last night (Tuesday) and will be in the frame for Sunday’s trek up the A1 to Newcastle Thunder.
He played for Meltham All Blacks as a boy and signed for the Huddersfield Giants academy when he was 15.
His move to Wakefield Trinity under-19s, and his sound performances at that level, earned him a full-time contract at Belle Vue where he made his Super League debut against Wigan Warriors when he was 18.
He joined Halifax in July, 2017 and, last season, had a spell at Newcastle on loan.
The younger brother of Halifax’s Elliott Morris, Frazer said:
“I’ve been playing in the reserves at Halifax and it will be good to step up to senior level at Oldham.
“They’ve got a few injury concerns, I think, and if I can give them a lift and make an impact that would be great.”
Backs Adam Brook and Danny Grimshaw are also out, while there will be late decisions on Spencer, Matty Wilkinson (also subject to a head test) and Harry Maders, who has a calf injury.
Back into the running come Aaron Jones Bishop, Lee Kershaw and Anthony Bowman.
At this stage, therefore, 21 players are in contention including the three who are subject to late decisions, Maders, Spencer and Wilkinson.
Bent, Bowman, Calland, Crook, Greenwood, Gwaze, Hawkyard, Hewitt, Holmes, Johnson, Jones-Bishop, Joy, Kershaw, Law, Maders, McComb, Morris, Owen, Spencer, Whittel, Wilkinson.
Said coach Scott Naylor:
“We had a comparatively light session last night, given that last Sunday’s cup-tie was a very physical one against full-time opponents.
“We welcomed Frazer Morris into the fold. He got to know everyone and got an idea of what to expect on Thursday when it will be a much more intense session.
“Everyone is in with a shout apart from Adam Brook (broken wrist), Ben Davies (gashed mouth), Danny Grimshaw (groin) and Danny Bridge (suspended).
“Ben’s mouth injury won’t keep him out as long as we first feared. He doesn’t need surgery so he could be back in contention for the Hunslet home game on Good Friday.”
