PROP Ben Davies, one of our most experienced forwards, returns after getting over a back problem and is included for the first time this season in our 21-man squad for tomorrow’s fourth-round Challenge Cup tie at Widnes.
His inclusion in the squad for teenage centre Jack Croft, who played for us at Whitehaven last time out on dual-reg from Wakefield Trinity, is the only change in the 21.
Davies’s elevation means there are now only two players on the long-term casualty list, Jode Sherrife and Ed Smith.
Both have knee injuries. Sheriffe, who is waiting for an operation, was unlucky to be injured in training. Smith first felt this latest knee injury in the pre-season game against St Helens, but then aggravated it further in training.
He said:
“It’s the same knee as that on which I’ve had two big ops, but it’s nothing like as serious and it isn’t connected whatsoever with what happened before.
“It’s just a matter of time, rehab and treatment and hopefully I’ll be ready to play again in a few weeks.”
For obvious reasons, and with two big home games coming up in the Championship against Bradford Bulls and Dewsbury Rams at Bower Fold on March 1 and March 8, head coach Matt Diskin will be keeping fingers crossed that Davies comes through unscathed if he plays at Widnes tomorrow.
The latest 21-man squad also includes John Hutchings, out since he damaged a hamstring in the Law Cup match at Rochdale on January 12, and centre James Worthington, who has been out with a groin injury since the opening day of the Championship season against Widnes on February 2.
Squad:
Harry Aaronson — sponsorship available on 07904 898177
Dan Abram — proudly sponsored by Rugby Oldham Supporters’ Trust.
Jimmy Beckett — sponsorship available on 07904 898177 Liam Bent — proudly sponsored by WN1 Lighting Solutions Ltd
Danny Bridge — proudly sponsored by Pam Taylor and LTS Adam Brook — sponsorship available on 07904 898177 Lewis Charnock — proudly sponsored by Anne Kearns
Ben Davies — sponsorship available on 07904 898177
Matthew Fletcher — sponsorship available on 07904 898177
Titus Gwaze — sponsorship available on 07904 898177
Dave Hewitt — proudly sponsored by David and Val Webster
John Hutchings — proudly sponsored by ECS Leisure Kyran Johnson — proudly sponsored by Mick Harrop
Phil Joy — proudly sponsored by the Past Players’ Association Declan Kay — proudly sponsored by Rob Long Danny Langtree — proudly sponsored by
David and Val Webster Cameron Leeming — sponsorship available on 07904 898177
Gareth Owen — proudly sponsored by Echo Electrical Ltd
Jack Spencer — proudly sponsored by Graeme Lee Matty Wilkinson — proudly sponsored by
John and Lynda McAndrew
James Worthington — proudly sponsored by Oldham RL Heritage Trust
