Oldham's double cup fillip

KIERAN GILL

OLDHAM have succeeded where they failed in the last round by getting permission from Salford Red Devils to play on-loan forward Liam Bent in Sunday's fifth round Ladbrokes Challenge Cup tie at Featherstone.

Kieran Gill, loaned to Roughyeds by Castleford Tigers, can also play, as he did in the last round when amateurs Haydock were beaten 40-12 at Bower Fold.

His Tigers team mate and fellow Oldham loanee Tuoyo Egodo, however, will not be in action at the newly-named LD Nutrition Stadium (3pm kick-off) because his full-time employers don't want him to be cup-tied. They took a similar stance for the Roughyeds' fourth-round tie five weeks ago.

Nevertheless, to have the use of two of their three loan players at Featherstone is good news for Roughyeds' boss Scott Naylor, who will have tough selection decisions to make following a strong performance at Halifax without George Tyson, David Hewitt, Danny Grimshaw and Richard Lepori.

Though only 19, Bent has played in the last five matches, including wins against Bradford Bulls and Swinton Lions.

He arrived at the club in early March with his Salford team mate Jordan Walne, each on a month's loan initially.

Walne had a superb debut in the 26-26 draw at Rochdale before breaking a bone in a hand in the same game. He hasn't played since and is now back at Salford.

Bent didn't play at Rochdale - and Salford didn't want him cup-tied by playing in the next one against Haydock, so he didn't get his first game in Oldham colours until Batley Bulldogs away on March 26.

Not long afterwards his initial month was up and at Salford's request, he is now with Roughyeds on a week-to-week arrangement.

Said Oldham chairman Chris Hamilton: "I spoke to Ian Blease (Salford chief executive) yesterday and we have signed Liam for another week -- that's how Salford want it -- with permission this time for him to play at Featherstone.

"Liam's happy, we are happy so it's a win win situation.

"Of the Cas lads, Kieran Gill will be with us, but Tuoyo Egodo won't. I've spoken to Cas about him but, like last time, they don't want him cup-tied."

Featherstone face a similar situation with half-back Cory Aston, who is with them on long-term loan from Leeds Rhinos.

It isn't known yet whether he will be available after his man-of-the-match performance on Monday when he scored two tries and kicked six goals in a hefty win against Bradford Bulls.

His senior half-back partner Anthony Thackeray, Rovers' key midfield pivot and main play-maker, is already out because of a two-match ban.

The sixth-round draw will be made by Chris Joynt and Keith Senior on Tuesday (April 25) from 6.30pm. It will be broadcast live on BBC News Channel's Sportsday programme.

Other suspensions include Swinton's Josh Barlow (four matches for 'striking with elbow' against Hull KR) and Barrow's ex-Oldham half Jamie Dallimore (six matches for 'dangerous contact' against Workington).