ROUGHYEDS head coach Stu Littler has spoken of the merits of the squad system which is used extensively these days throughout rugby league.
“We currently have a situation at Oldham in which some players need game time,” he said, “and that’s where the squad system comes into its own.”
Speaking ahead of Friday night’s game at London Skolars, kick off 7pm, Stuart said Calvin Wellington and Sean Slater were two of those in need of “minutes” after being out for a long time, Slater with a serious knee injury and Wellington with a stomach problem.
Hooker Slater, in fact, has yet to play in a league game, having been injured in a pre-season friendly at Keighley.
Centre or wing Wellington figured in the drawn league game at Hunslet, but he wasn’t right and had to leave the field midway through the first half.
Both are now fully fit, however, and are included in the 21-man squad named so far.
“They have both worked really hard on getting over their problems, but they need game-time, minutes on the field,” said Littler.
“Sean has gone over and above what could reasonably be asked of him in terms of completing his long rehab programme, while Calvin has put in two weeks of tough training with no ill effects.
“We haven’t seen the best of either of them yet due to their injury set-backs, but let’s hope they’re over them now.”
Having won only two of their seven games, and drawing at Hunslet, Roughyeds are lying in seventh place out of 11, but will be looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat against a struggling London outfit still searching for a win.
Don’t forget tonight’s public meeting at the Fox and Pine about the launch of a women’s team. It starts at 7pm.
