Russo quits Roughyeds

JAMIE RUSSO has quit Oldham in a fit of pique after being left out of the side that faced Swinton at the weekend.

The Australian centre originally joined the club from Gateshead at the start of August with the initial intent of only playing in two matches before flying back home.

Having subsequently agreed to extend his stay until the end of the season, the 28-year-old played a total of five matches for the club, scoring tries in the first three, but was left out of Roughyeds coach Tony Benson’s line-up for the Lions play-off clash at Boundary Park.

That didn’t sit well with Russo. Originally down to provide back row support from the bench to give Craig Littler a run in the centres, the unexpected availability of fit-again Phil Joseph saw him demoted to 18th man duties — a role he refused to take on, instead watching the game from the main stand.

“The decision not to play Jamie against Swinton was purely for the benefit of the team rather than any reflection on his performance,” explained Roughyeds chief executive Chris Hamilton.

“He hasn’t reacted in the way we would have expected or hoped and took it a stage further by booking his flights home to Australia.”

Russo is believed to be jetting back early next week, but he definitely won’t be involved in the Co-operative Championship One elimination semi-final at home to Hunslet at Boundary Park on Sunday.

One man who could step into the breach to provide a much-needed back row presence is Craig Lawton.

The experienced former Doncaster player showed plenty of promise in his two appearances against Blackpool and York before difficulties over attending training and matches.

The hope is that he will be back to take part in tomorrow night’s training session.

Prop forward Jamie I’Anson sat out the last night’s session due to a broken toe and will be assessed later in the week.

Joseph, who aggravated the hamstring injury troubling him over the last month, was also unable to train and medical staff will continue to monitor his condition.