Neal's eyes on Oldham comeback

ADAM NEAL . . . broken jaw

FOLLOWING his latest post-op check-up, Adam Neal is sure he'll get the chance to aid Oldham's battle against relegation in the later rounds of the Championship Shield.

He has another appointment on Friday of next week, by which time he expects to be well on the way to a full recovery from the broken jaw he suffered in the 14-12 win against Toulouse Olympique at Bower Fold on July 2.

A minimum of six weeks from the time of surgery is the recognised guideline for this type of damage.

"That would take us through to August 15 and on my reckoning we'll still have five games to play after that," said the prop - a key man in the Roughyeds' front-row.

"I don't want to rush it and chance a setback, but I should be getting some game time before the end.

"CHECK-UP"

"I didn't have any x-rays at this latest check-up, but it all feels good and everything seems to be going according to plan."

Latest update on Danny Langtree, who has missed the last few games with a right-arm bicep problem, is not as positive.

A scan has revealed the muscle is torn and he must now wait for another scan to determine the full extent of the tear.

"It doesn't feel too bad at the moment, but I'll know more after the second scan," said 'Langers'.

Although the squad has been given a few days off - no game on Sunday - several players were in for treatment last night, including Luke Adamson (shoulder), Matty Wilkinson (calf) and Liam Thompson (sternum).

The eight young players whom Roughyeds have signed on loan from their dual-reg partner club Huddersfield Giants are Harry Woolard, Jamie Greenwood, Jon Luke Kirby, Matthew English, Oliver Russell, Reece Boxhall-Hunt, Samuel Hewitt and Tyllar Mellor, all members of the Giants.

Championship Shield fixtures were due to be released this morning, but the RFL say they've been delayed due to operational issues.

Round one fixtures will be released tomorrow, with the other six rounds published on Monday.