Johnson keen to make up for lost time

Winger Kyran Johnson is ready for a late-season surge to prominence after missing much of Oldham RL Club's season because of injury.

The young Yorkshireman's latest setback sidelined him for nine weeks and seven matches after he suffered a broken jaw at Keighley Cougars in May.

At that stage, he had scored five tries in nine games and had proved his value at both full-back and wing.

But he's back now and ready to go in Oldham's last five Betfred League 1 games, starting at London Skolars on Saturday week, and then, maybe, in the play-offs.

He was available for the last game against North Wales Crusaders on July 14, but coach Scott Naylor erred on the side of caution and decided to extend his rehab period for an extra two weeks through the current lay-off.

"He's been out a while, but he's absolutely itching to get back now," said coach Naylor, whose players will be back in for training on Thursday night after 11 days off.

Said Johnson: "I'm hoping to make up for lost time in the late-season push for promotion.

"I've another year to run on my contract, but I'd like to extend it because I absolutely love life at Oldham.

"It's the first time in my career that I've played for a Lancashire club, but I've never been happier.

"It's the only club I've been at where my wife insists on turning up to watch even if I'm not in the team. 

"She and my young family are really happy at the club and if they're happy I'm happy."

Castleford-born Johnson, who joined Roughyeds from Featherstone Rovers ahead of the 2018 campaign, will be praying for better luck over the next few weeks, but he'll have it all to do if he is to remove either Lee Kershaw or on-loan Harry Aaronson.

* THERE are still places left on the club's official trip to Wembley on Saturday, August 24 for the Coral Challenge Cup final and the 1895 Cup final.

Cost of the trip, £65, includes executive travel, a Club Wembley seat, the two finals and the experience of taking part in the pre-match parade around the perimeter of the famous stadium, behind the 'Oldham' banner.

Book on the website at: roughyeds.co.uk or ring the club on 07904 898 177.

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