Championship One Preview: Oldham v York City Knights

Correspondent

Oldham coach Scott Naylor could give a debut to loan signing Steve Roper in Sunday’s Kingstone Press Championship One clash with York City Knights.

The mouthwatering clash sees third-placed Oldham host the team just above them in the league table,

Naylor said: “We’ve got a tough period of the season coming up over the next seven or eight weeks and it’s very important that there’s competition for places.

“One positive aspect of having had two blank weekends out of the last three is that we’ve had more time with which to get the new additions settled in.”

Paddy Mooney and Liam Thompson are both ruled out for Oldham, while Adam Files (knee) faces a late fitness test.

York coach Gary Thornton has full-back James Haynes available following a hip problem.

Thornton is now hopeful that consecutive fixtures against Oldham and league leaders Hunslet Hawks will spark his team.

Thornton said: “It’s not a bad thing to have because it means everyone is switched on in training and trying to work hard and improve things.”