Eleven out for Oldham

Liam Thompson

WITH an injury crisis that shows no signs of easing, Oldham RL Club are anxious to bring in replacements before the July 21 signing deadline.

There are now ELEVEN senior players sidelined with the addition of Danny Langtree (bicep) and Liam Thompson (sternum) after Sunday's tough physical battle against Featherstone Rovers.

Thompson played most of his 100th game for Oldham in severe pain and reported afterwards that he was having trouble breathing.

Langtree, his second-row partner, was forced to quit after half an hour with his upper right arm already heavily strapped and protected.

Both are reported to be extremely doubtful for Sunday's game against Sheffield Eagles at Wakefield, while of the other nine injury victims only Scott Leatherbarrow has a chance and he is said to be no more than a "possibility".

Said coach Scott Naylor: "In all my career this is the worst I've known at any club I've been at.

"We are trying every day to bring in reinforcements, but few players are available because clubs don't want to let them go at this stage of the season."

Currently sidelined: Adam Neal (broken jaw), Phil Joy (shoulder), Craig Briscoe (knee), Langtree (bicep), Scott Turner (head injury/concussion), Leatherbarrow (ankle), Jack Spencer (groin), Thompson (sternum), Lepori (ankle), Gareth Owen (foot), Danny Grimshaw (hamstring).

Naylor is left with 16 fit men, four of whom are on loan. They are: backs, Adam Clay, George Tyson, Jamel Chisholm, David Hewitt, Kameron Pearce-Paul (loan), Steven Nield, Connor Williams (loan); forwards, Sammy Gee, Luke Adamson, Liam Bent (loan), Ben Davies, Joe Burke, Kenny Hughes, Michael Ward, Sadiq Abeyiyi (loan), Matty Wilkinson.