Oldham weigh up injuries

OLDHAM RL have limped over the finishing line at the end of their first season of Kingstone Press Championship rugby with several players facing a race against the clock to be ready for a return to training in November.

Craig Briscoe, whose first season at the club has been severely disrupted by a serious knee injury, is waiting for an operation to reconstruct the joint.

Kieran Gill, on long-term loan from Castleford Tigers, may need surgery to repair an old hand injury which he got while playing on loan to Oxford.

Danny Grimshaw may need a hernia operation, but Liam Thompson (shoulder), Sammy Gee (ankle) and Danny Langtree (shin) expect to enjoy complete recovery with close-season rest and rehab.

Latest injury victims are Scott Turner, who was concussed in the 30-12 defeat at Dewsbury, and Lewis Palfrey, who was taken off near the end with a sore jaw.

Head coach Scott Naylor was at the game, but put assistant Lee Spencer in charge.

Spencer said he was disappointed with the performance, but added: "In the context of the season as a whole we've got to be happy with what we've achieved."

Squad building for next season is continuing with more signings expected to be announced soon.

Already signed for 2017 are Adam Clay, Turner, Jamel Chisholm, Phil Joy, Jack Spencer, Langtree, Thompson, Kenny Hughes, Grimshaw, Michael Ward and Gill.