Baines set for centre switch

CHRIS BAINES could be set for a change of role in Oldham’s season-defining clash at York City Knights.

The in-form second row star, now a joint holder of the club’s all-time points-in-a-match record having picked up 34 in the defeat of Hunslet, will switch across the field to left centre if, as seems likely, Marcus St Hilaire misses out due to a recurrence of a calf problem.

Roughyeds coach Tony Benson feels that this solution wouldn’t serve to curb the attacking instincts of Baines, whose tally against the Hawks comprised four tries and nine goals.

There are other worries within a stretched squad ahead of the journey to the Huntington Stadium for the Co-operative Championship One final eliminator.

In addition to St Hilaire, Benson has back line concerns with full-back Paul Reilly (lower back) and centre Craig Littler (hamstring) facing late fitness tests tomorrow morning after being unable to take part in last night’s session, and the same is true of prop forward Jamie I’Anson (dead leg) and second row forward Phil Joseph (hamstring).

Lee Greenwood (shoulder) has only an outside chance of providing cover for the wings and there could be a chance for Army winger Ben Seru, who has only 17 minutes of first team experience behind him following a serious knee injury on debut last year, to make a first appearance of the season.

The winners of the game will progress to face Keighley Cougars in the final in Warrington on Sunday, October 4.

In the event of a Roughyeds victory on Sunday, tickets for that promotion decider will go on sale from the club offices at 9.30am on Monday morning, through to 7pm.

Oldham (from): Reilly, Onyango, Littler, Baines, O’Connor, N Roden, Coyle, Boults, M Roden, Kerr, Goulden, Joseph, Lawton, I’Anson, Menzies, Sykes, Ashe, Seru, Greenwood.

York boss James Ratcliffe has injury doubts of his own to deal with and also has to make do without inspirational loose forward David March, who serves the second of a two-match suspension.