Naylor eyes more new faces

Photo: Paul Sterritt.

GEORGE ALMIGHTY . . . photographer Paul Sterritt captures the moment when Oldham centre George Tyson barged his way over the line

SCOTT Naylor is looking to top-up his Oldham RL squad with more signings following the capture on loan of 19-year-old St Helens half-back David Hewitt.

Excluding players on loan and dual-registration, coach Naylor has only 19 players under contract, two of whom, Steven Nield and Tom Ashton, are injured.

Naylor chose not to give Hewitt his debut in the 64-0 hammering of Oxford, preferring to hold him back until he has spent more time at the club.

Speaking after a 12-try rout that provided him with his biggest winning margin since arriving at Whitebank over two seasons ago, Naylor said: “David Hewitt has had only one and a half sessions with us, and he’s only 19. Another week with us will do him a world of good.

“It’s fair to say we are also actively looking for one or two more additions to the squad to come in before the cut-off point. I’ve only got a small squad and if we get a few more injuries after the cut-off point we would very quickly be down to the bare bones.”

Looking ahead to next Sunday’s game at Swinton Lions, the Oldham coach said every fit and available player would be in contention.