Oldham seek an extension of Foster loan

LEWIS FOSTER

OLDHAM will talk to Leigh and try to extend Lewis Foster's loan spell when the initial agreement expires after tonight's game at Sheffield Eagles (8pm).

The hooker has impressed in his four games against Dewsbury, Bradford, London and Whitehaven and Roughyeds will be keen to secure his services for the remaining 'regular' matches against Swinton, Bradford and Workington, and beyond.

Foster shared dummy-half duties with dual-reg man Kruise Leeming in last week's win against Whitehaven, but Leeming and his Huddersfield Giants team mate Sam Wood won't be available tonight as both played last night in the Giants' 22-12 defeat of Super League leaders Hull FC.

Scott Naylor has confirmed that, apart from Jack Spencer and Gary Middlehurst, everyone else is available, including his latest loan signing Kieran Gill, who enjoyed a try-scoring debut against Whitehaven last time out.

Of the 17 on duty in that game, Wood, Leeming and Spencer are out, but Naylor can consider other dual-reg personnel plus Jack Holmes, Lewis Palfrey, Steve Roper, Adam Files, Kenny Hughes and Will Hope.

THRILLER

Sheffield, beaten 21-20 in a thriller at Bower Fold in April, are without suspended George Tyson, but can call on back-row forward Michael Knowles, who was found not guilty by the RFL disciplinary committee of a dangerous throw against Swinton.

Adam Neal is in line for a return to the pack after sick leave, while newly-signed on-loan Catalans Dragons pair Stan Robin and Thibaut Margalet are expected to make their debuts.

"We are healthier than we have been all season," said coach Mark Aston.

Sheffield (from): Laulu-Togagae, Lo, Yere, Chappell, Blackmore, Aston, Fozard, Thorpe, Carlile, Wheeldon, James, Staugheir, Knowles, Minichella, Worrincy, Mexico, Neal, Robin, Margalet.

Oldham (from): Lepori, Clay, Gill, Holmes, Grimshaw, Chisholm, Palfrey, Roper, Owen, Joy, Foster, Hughes, Files, Burke, Briscoe, Langtree, Thompson, Ward, Gee, Hope plus dual-reg options.