Palfrey poised to face Centurions

Lewis Palfrey

LEWIS Palfrey, Oldham RL captain, is hoping to play his first game of the year in Saturday’s run-out against a Leigh Centurions squad at Whitebank (2.30pm kick off).

A lower-back muscle injury kept the half-back Palfrey out of the 16-6 loss at Barrow and the 24-18 home win against Swinton, but he is expected to lead out his side in the final pre-season game.

“It will be the last chance for everybody to push for a place in the side to go to South Wales in the opening league game on March 2,” said coach Scott Naylor.

Joy, whose sterling performances at prop-forward earned him the 2013 player-of-the-year award, is still undergoing rehab on a troublesome groin injury.

New-boy Tyson (20), a forward who is said to be comfortable at prop, second-row or loose, has arrived on a season-long loan from Salford Red Devils with a slight hip injury.

“I’m not sure whether to play him against Leigh or to concentrate on getting him ready for the league campaign,” added the Roughyeds’ boss.

Full-back Tom Whitehead and former London Broncos youngster Paddy Mooney were ruled out of the Swinton game. Naylor believes both could be fit for Saturday.

Leigh start their Championship campaign at home to Batley Bulldogs on Sunday, but they will still bring a strong squad to Whitebank.