Oliver back for more

DUAL-REG forward Oliver Roberts has been added to Oldham’s squad for Sunday’s short trip to Sedgley Park and the League One derby with Swinton Lions.

The 20-year-old Huddersfield Giants back row man, who has scored two tries in his three previous games for Oldham this season, was a non-playing member of the Giants’ 19-man squad for last week’s home win against Warrington Wolves in Super League. Before signing for Giants at the end of last season, Halifax-born Roberts made five Super League appearances for Bradford Bulls — two in 2013 and three in 2014 — after winning England honours at youth level.

By acquiring Roberts’ services on dual registration and signing 19-year-old St Helens stand-off David Hewitt on loan, Oldham coach Scott Naylor has 21 available players — the 17 who blitzed Oxford 64-0 plus Jon Ford, Michael Ward, Hewitt and Roberts.

Ford’s return from a knee injury sooner than expected is another bonus, but Naylor won’t name his 17 until later - nor will he shed any light on the prospects of teenager Hewitt getting his debut against an in-form pride of Lions chasing their fifth league win in a row.

“It’s going to be a ‘chop and change’ division in the second half of the season,” said Naylor. “All eight top teams will be battling to finish in the top five for play-off qualification.

“It will all hinge eventually on how many points a club gains from wins against others in the top eight.

“I don’t think any club will win them all, but all you can do is soldier on and try to win as many as possible.

“Swinton will be thinking on similar lines. They've got loads of very experienced players and two wingers and a full-back who work really hard to put the opposition on the back foot.

“If we have decent conditions we can have a good go at each other and see what happens. It should be wide open.”