Rugby League: Matty Wilkinson signs for Oldham

Oldham RLFC

Matty Wilkinson has signed a new one-year deal with Oldham RLFC to become the club's third hooker on the 2018 roster.

The former Salford Red Devils 21-year-old will challenge for the key dummy-half role against the more experienced Gareth Owen and Kenny Hughes.

He joined Roughyeds towards the back end of last season at the height of an injury crisis and impressed while playing in nine of the last 11 games, scoring two tries.

Oldham head coach Scott Naylor said: "Halifax were also interested in him, but he chose to come to us and he quickly showed that he's a very intelligent hooker who can see things at the ruck and capitalise accordingly.

"He is young, keen, willing and a very professional lad who is prepared to listen and learn.

"We are delighted he is staying with us and I'm looking forward to working with him in a full pre-season and beyond."

Wilkinson had a spell on loan with North Wales Crusaders in 2016 before Salford sent him out on dual-reg to Halifax in the early part of last season.

He did well at Championship level at The Shay and played against Oldham for Halifax in the Yorkshire side's 30-12 win at Bower Fold in mid-June.

On getting his release from Salford soon afterwards, he joined Oldham on a deal to 30 November and made his debut in a 14-12 win against Toulouse Olympique at Bower Fold on 2 July.

His new deal takes to 14 the number of players who are now under contract for League One, comprising of ten who have re-signed, a trio of newcomers in Paul Crook, Luke Nelmes and Danny Rasool plus half-back David Hewitt, who is half-way through a two-year agreement.

Naylor added: "Things are coming along nicely, but we have still a lot of work to do ahead of pre-season training which will start next month."

Oldham wish it to be known that clubs still have not been informed about the League One format for 2018, although news is expected within the next few days.

The club also says it is at an advanced stage in the process of sorting out a home venue for next season but, due to circumstances outside it's control, it can not confirm anything just yet.

It is pushing to get everything agreed and as soon as it is, supporters will be informed.