Sean Long has given more details on this week’s dual-registration partnership with Salford Red Devils, and provided an encouraging update on his three injured stars ahead of next week’s opening home game of the Betfred League One season against Rochdale.
The Roughyeds head coach believes the arrangement with Super League Salford will be of benefit to both sides, and has encouraged fans to throw their passionate support behind his side for next Sunday’s clash with the Hornets at Boundary Park.
”It is really good to have dual-reg and Salford have some really good players," Long told Roughyeds TV this week as the squad look to build on their impressive opening-weekend win at Workington.
”Any Salford players coming back from injury - if we have been light in the middle and they want a run here, then they are more than welcome. Me and (Salford head coach) Paul Rowley speak often and we don’t want each other’s players, but if needed we will use them. It is good to have that good relationship.
“Paul wants to come down to Oldham games and watch us train. He is excited and happy for us and what we are doing in the town. He is a good bloke so we are really happy to have this arrangement with them."
Veteran prop Craig Kopczak returned to training this week and looks set to be available for the game against Rochdale, but there is more caution over fellow forwards Elijah Taylor and Pat Moran.
“Koppy was back in no-contact training this week and looks fine, so another week and he’ll be good," said Long.
“I think another four weeks for ET and not sure with Pat yet, and it’s good to have Phoenix (Laulu-Togaga’e) in as well as another body to bulk up the squad and everyone is fighting for places."
Long has asked the squad to build on their performance in Cumbria, and hopes the Roughyeds fans come out in force for the first home league game of the campaign.
I was really pleased to go up there where Workington are a tough team to beat, to get the W was the main thing and the boys have come in bouncing so we have had some good intense training since.
”First half we were outstanding, we played the conditions right, the start of the second half we were a little bit slow but you expect that a little bit. When I reflected back and thought about it I thought they probably had a bit of a roasting off their coach and came out firing, so we have to manage that third quarter a bit better but we seemed to pull away again which was pleasing.
“Rochdale is one of our biggest games of the season - the first game at home against our local rivals. We want it rocking and want a good performance. They will be stinging a bit from the 1895 Cup but they were missing a few key players so we are not taking anything from that. This is a fresh competition and hopefully the fans will come out in their droves and we will have a really good entertaining game of rugby. "
