Browse Sections

• Oldham Athletic FC
• Oldham Roughyeds'
• Local football
• Local cricket

Set for return?

16/ 4/2008

WINGER Lucas Onyango could make his long-awaited first-team return for the Roughyeds this week.

The Kenyan, who underwent shoulder surgery before the start of the season, made his comeback by playing in the reserves’ 18-6 defeat to Rochdale Hornets at Sedgley Park last week.

That may be the venue for his first-team reappearance as Oldham travel to Swinton Lions for Sunday’s Carnegie Challenge Cup tie.

His involvement depends on whether coach Steve Deakin elects to rest Marcus St Hilaire, who has struggled with an ankle knock.

Another injury would be par for the course for an Oldham side licking their wounds after last Sunday’s 26-12 defeat at Keighley Cougars.

Deakin said: "We’ve been existing on just 18 fit players for the last four to five weeks because we’ve had eight of the squad who have undergone surgery or been in plaster for a substantial spell."

"We had a very physical game against National League One side Whitehaven in the Northern Rail Cup the Sunday before and that took a great deal out of us."

Ten years ago, Deakin was part of the Sheffield Eagles coaching staff when John Kear’s side stunned Wigan Warriors 17-8 in the cup final at Wembley.

Ahead of next month’s 10th anniversary reunion, the Oldham coach knows the benefits of a good cup run.

However, they must overcome a Swinton side who they have already beaten twice in this year’s Northern Rail Cup group stages.

Deakin said: "As well as the prospect of pitting ourselves against teams from a higher division, there is also the incentive of reaching the next round and enjoying the potential financial benefits of being drawn against a club from engage Super League.

"Both Swinton and Oldham will have those two objects in mind when they go into this Fourth Round tie, but I think we’re ready to do well in a knockout competition and we want to go as far as we can."