Injury boost for Benson

TONY BENSON’S injury problems appear to have eased, with the majority of players in the Roughyeds squad carrying knocks able to train normally last night.

Paul Highton is definitely ruled out, with his knee problem flaring up once more. The experienced prop forward hasn’t appeared for the Roughyeds since the 20-18 defeat at York in late June and doubts inevitably now hang over whether he will turn out for the club again this season.

The news is brighter on other fronts. Marcus St Hilaire is set for a return to action in the centres at Hunslet on Sunday, the last of Oldham’s regular-season matches in Co-operative Championship One.

Of those who carried knocks following the 37-24 home loss to York, Luke Menzies, Neil Roden and Jason Boults seem fine, while checks will be made on Chris Baines and Lee Greenwood later this week after both came through the session without too many problems.

Oldham will travel to the South Leeds Stadium knowing if they have a chance of finishing the season in third, which would mean a visit to Keighley’s Cougar Stadium on Sunday, September 20, in an qualifying semi-final.

York, currently behind Dewsbury and Keighley in the standings, finish their campaign the night before with a home match against Swinton. A defeat for the Knights would leave the door ajar for the Roughyeds.

MATT Cook, son of former Oldham hooker Les, has left Bradford to sign a two-year deal with Hull KR.

Elsewhere, Salford are expected to lose former Waterhead star Jordan Turner to Hull FC, as well as Robbie Paul to Leigh and Richie Myler to Warrington in an expected £200,000-plus deal.