Championship One Preview: Gateshead Thunder v Oldham

Jordan Meads could make his Gateshead Thunder debut against in-form Oldham.

The former New Zealand Warriors half-back missed out against York City Knights last week, but Thunder coach Stanley Gene could give him his chance on Sunday as Gateshead attempt to force their way into the Kingstone Press Championship One play-off positions.

Oldham coach Scott Naylor has a doubt over David Cookson (illness), while Adam Files (knee) is definitely ruled out of Sunday’s match – and could miss the rest of the season.

But Danny Langtree is available after completing a recent suspension, boosting Naylor’s options ahead of a difficult trip to the north-east.

Oldham were 58-2 winners over South Wales Scorpions last week, but Naylor insists his side cannot afford to relax.

Naylor said: “The challenge now is to reach those standards every time we go out.

“If we don’t perform to the same high standard at Gateshead, and lose, everything we’ve achieved against South Wales will have been for nothing.”