Oldham loan Holmes to Rochdale

Oldham has loaned Jack Holmes to Rochdale fo the rest of the season wth a view to winning a contract for 2017.

The 22-year-old utility back has scored 20 tries in 36 appearances in his two seasons at the club, but he has faded from the scene in recent weeks, having played only once in the last six games.

Oldham coach Scott Naylor: “We don’t want to lose players, but the right thing for us to do in Jack’s case was to help him to get a club where he will get more games in order to advance his career.

“It wasn’t an easy decision to let him go. I can’t fault the lad in any shape or form. I felt for him actually because he deserves to be playing and he will get more opportunities at Rochdale.

We wish him every success. Steve Roper wasn’t happy because he wasn’t playing every week. I hope he gets the opportunity to do that at Rochdale because that’s what he wants.”

Four players, Tom Ashton, Jon Ford, Roper and Holmes, have left Roughyeds in recent weeks, while four have come in on loan – Kieran Gill from Castleford Tigers, Lewis Foster (Leigh Centurions) and Sheffield Eagles pair Dave Hewitt and Jack Blagbrough.