Selection headache on the cards for Naylor

Oldham RL head coach Scott Naylor

Apart from Adam Neal and maybe Adam Jones, who has hurt his back at work, Oldham expect to be at full strength against North Wales Crusaders at the Vestacare Stadium on Sunday (3pm kick-off).

Of Scott Naylor's 23 contracted players, 21 will definitely be ready to go plus on-loan Luke Hooley and Lee Kershaw from Wakefield Trinity as well as dual-reg players from Leigh Centurions.

Jones didn't train last night (Thursday) because he was seeing a doctor about his damaged back.

Said head coach Naylor: "We are waiting for Adam Jones, but I don't think he will be available.

"I'll have a lot of players to choose from, which is nice.

"Obviously, I'll be going with the side which I think has the best chance to win the game.

"We have been making changes because some players have not been up to scratch on a regular basis.

"We've also been rotating players to give them game time, experience and match fitness, but now that we're rapidly approaching the business end of the season that no longer matters.

"Now, it's all about winning games more consistently and treating each one like a cup final. 

"Hopefully, I'll pick the right team and that team will be able to stick together and play again next week too."

Said Crusaders boss Anthony Murray: "We've been more than a match for teams above us so far this season. Going to Oldham we'll have to match the physicality of Scott Naylor's men and take it from there.

"I don't want to make silly promises about what we'll be doing, but we'll certainly be striving to climb the table a little bit and do a lot better than the last time we played Oldham in early season."

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.