Whittel itching to get started

Emmerson Whittel will be available for selection in North Wales

Oldham back-row forward Emmerson Whittel, last season’s outstanding player of the year, will be available after suspension for the Roughyeds’ next Betfred League One game against North Wales Crusaders in Colwyn Bay on Sunday, March 26.

Fans should note the 2.30pm kick-off.

Whittel received a four-match ban at Rochdale at the end of last season, but two of the three 2023 pre-season friendlies count plus the narrow Challenge Cup defeat at Doncaster and last Sunday’s first league game, a 62-18 win against London Skolars.

It means Whittel will be available for selection in North Wales - and Oldham's new vice-captain can’t wait.

“It will be brilliant if I’m selected. I can’t wait. I’m itching to get going,” said Whittel, speaking from the stand as a spectator at Sunday’s first Betfred League One game when the hosts scored 11 tries - four of them by Jordan Paga - in a 62-18 win against London Skolars.

Added Whittel: “I just want to get on the field again.

"It has been very frustrating so far, having to watch the other lads while I’m watching from the sidelines.”

Since the end of last season - his first at Oldham since he left the club at the end of the 2020 season to play in Australia - Whittel has been elevated to vice-captain and has become a member of the five-man leadership group alongside club captain Martyn Ridyard, Gregg McNally, Deane Meadows and Kian Morgan.

Oldham also have another forward, Callum Cameron, working off a ban from that ill-fated Rochdale derby, but Cameron got an eight-match ban and he still has to spend more time sidelined.

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