Roper boost for injury hit Hornets

Former Widnes half-back Steven Roper may return from a six week injury lay-off for Rochdale’s game against Gateshead this weekend.

John Stankevitch’s side have been hit by a spate of injuries, with hooker Craig Tunstead joining the queue for the treatment table during Sunday’s game at York, where he suffered tissue damage to his leg.

Back-rower Mark Hobson is also nearing a return, and could be fit for the Swinton game in a fortnight, according to Stankevitch.

The ex-Doncaster coach said on the club’s official website: “Hopefully this piece of good news will see our injury luck take a turn for the better, and we can approach this week’s game in an upbeat state of mind.

“We have to be pleased with the progress that we have made bearing in mind the injury crisis we are in the midst of, the fact that we continually miss players due to work commitments, and that we have been inconsistent with our form.”