Free-scoring centre Ford in Roughyeds loan return

Jon Ford.

LEAGUE One leaders Oldham have received a major tonic with the return to Whitebank of on-loan centre Jon Ford.

The 21-year-old Salford Red Devils player, a prolific try scorer for Roughyeds in three spells with Scott Naylor’s men, is back initially for a month and is due to resume training tonight in time for selection on Sunday at Keighley Cougars (3pm).

With George Tyson set to miss the Keighley game and the following week’s Whitebank showdown with iPro Sport Cup winners North Wales Crusaders (June 7, 3pm) due to suspension, Ford’s return to the club is well timed.

Coach Naylor said: “It's good to have him back, and this time I hope he’s able to stay a bit longer.

“We fully understand why Salford recalled him, because of all their injury problems, but it’s nice to have him back and I’m looking forward to seeing him play for us again.”

Earlier this season Ford scored seven tries in five games for Roughyeds before his full-time Super League employers pulled him back at the height of an injury crisis.

He rattled up four of those tries from the right-wing position in his final game against London Skolars on April 26. They took his overall try-scoring record for Oldham to a hugely impressive 41 in 36 games.

Tyson and hooker Gareth Owen will both miss the Keighley and North Wales games after pleading guilty to punching in the last-minute brawl at Barrow.

But there is better news for Roughyeds with confirmation that Huddersfield’s dual-reg forward Josh Johnson, who also received two matches, will be free to play against North Wales because a Giants’ game will also count towards his ban.