Bent boost for Oldham

Oldhamhave succeeded where they failed in the last round by getting permission from Salford Red Devils to play on-loan forward Liam Bent in Sunday’s fifth round Ladbrokes Challenge Cup tie at Featherstone.

Kieran Gill, loaned to Roughyeds by Castleford Tigers, can also play, as he did in the last round when amateurs Haydock were beaten 40-12 at Bower Fold.

His Tigers teammate and fellow Oldham loanee Tuoyo Egodo will not be in action because his full-time employers don’t want him to be cup-tied. They took a similar stance for the Roughyeds’ fourth-round tie five weeks ago.

Bent has played in the last five matches, including wins against Bradford Bulls and Swinton Lions.

He arrived at the club in early March with his Salford team mate Jordan Walne, each on a month’s loan initially.

Walne had a superb debut in the 26-26 draw at Rochdale before breaking a bone in a hand in the same game. He hasn’t played since and is now back at Salford.

Bent didn’t play at Rochdale and Salford didn’t want him cup-tied by playing in the next one against Haydock, so he didn’t get his first game in Oldham colours until Batley Bulldogs away on 26th March.

Not long afterwards his initial month was up and at Salford’s request, he is now with Roughyeds on a week-to-week arrangement.

Oldham chairman Chris Hamilton said: “I spoke to Ian Blease (Salford chief executive) yesterday and we have signed Liam for another week – that’s how Salford want it – with permission this time for him to play at Featherstone.

“Liam’s happy, we are happy, so it’s a win win situation.

“Of the Cas lads, Kieran Gill will be with us, but Tuoyo Egodo won’t. I’ve spoken to Cas about him but, like last time, they don’t want him cup-tied.”