Ashton’s long haul

INJURY WOE . . . Tom Ashton.

SCOTT Naylor is keen to hasten highly-rated Tom Ashton’s return to full fitness in his fight to overcome knee ligament damage.

The 22-year-old former Sheffield Eagles centre was given the prognosis he feared most by a specialist.

Injured at South Wales Scorpions on April 19 in only his second game for Oldham, the powerful centre has suffered damage to both cruciate ligaments and surgery might be needed on one of them.

Either way he faces a long haul back and won’t be available for several more weeks.

Roughyeds coach Naylor said: “Tom has to see his specialist again in a couple of weeks and, hopefully, the anterior cruciate will have settled down by then. That’s when he will get the final decision on surgery and how long he can expect to be sidelined.

“It’s not unusual for players to damage these two ligaments, but it may be another two or three weeks before much progress can be made. He will continue to attend training sessions in the meantime.

“We need to look after him because whether he plays again this season or waits until next season I want Tom Ashton to continue to be an Oldham player, and as soon as possible I want him playing the sort of rugby he produced before he was injured.”

George Tyson, who also has a knee injury, didn’t train last night, but can’t play anyway in the next two games because of suspension.

Having been given last week off, Roughyeds players returned to training with a vengeance last night.

Tough, physical indoor and outdoor sessions were led by conditioner Kane Daniels, whose work has often been lauded by Naylor as the main reason for his squad’s outstanding stamina and fitness.