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by ROGER HALSTEAD CHRIS Baines and Ian Hodson will play at least some part in the Oldham reserve team's game against Leigh Centurions at Sedgley Park tomorrow (Thursday) night, but will then be withdrawn in order to be included in the first-team squad of 17 for Monday's NL2 game against Blackpool Panthers at Boundary Park (3pm kick off). "They will definitely be included on Monday so long as they come through the reserve team game without mishap," confirmed coach Steve Deakin today. Lee Wingfield will make his third appearance for the second team as he continues the long road back after major knee surgery and nearly 12 months out of the game. Said Deaks: "Lee is coming along nicely. In two spells on the field during last week's reserves game against Rochdale, he had a total of 55 to 60 minutes. In tomorrow's game we will run him in both spells until fatigure sets in." Mick Nanyn, who picked up a slight calf strain in last Sunday's NL2 win against Hornets, will be okay for next Monday, but Craig Littler will still be sidelined with a dead leg. The thigh muscle is believed to be slightly torn and he might be out for a couple of weeks, or more. Tommy Grundy, who has a back injury, will also miss the Blackpool game and it will be touch and go for the Carnegie Challenge Cup fifth round tie at Dewsbury on Sunday week. On a brighter note, Matty Brooks and Simon Baldwin will, hopefully, return to action after minor knee operations in the reserves against Salford at Sedgley Park a week tomorrow, May 8. Said Deaks: "The key word is 'hopefully'. At this stage we can't be sure, but they are coming along well and Thursday of next week is the game we have targeted. Both players have been over to Elland to Eddie McGuinnes's gym for specialist training as part of their rehab, and they will be back there next week." As the next first team game is not until Monday, the players were not called in for squad training last night, as usual, but were told instead to do their own work close to home. "It was an opportunity to break with routine and to make the week a little bit easier for them," said Deaks. "Travelling alone can be a drain when it's three or four times a week after work. They will benefit from that. Instead we will do a little bit more on Thursday and Saturday." It was originally thought that the players would be given Saturday off and train instead on Sunday, bu that plan has been abandoned in favour of sticking to Thursday and Saturday. |
