Spencer blow for Oldham

Oldham forward Jack Spencer is expected to be out of action for three to four weeks with the rib injury he suffered at Toulouse Olympique.

Roughyeds now have two props on the casualty list in Phil Joy and Spencer, plus another front-rower in Ben Davies, who didn’t travel to France because of a calf strain.

“His injury is not as bad as we first feared,” said coach Scott Naylor. “There’s nothing broken, it’s more of a rib cartilage problem, but he’s still going to be sidelined for a while.

“To come back from France with only one relatively serious injury is not bad going. It could have been a lot worse.”

It was thought Davies would be fit to replace Spencer against Swinton Lions at Bower Fold on Friday, but he struggled at training on Tuesday and is doubtful for the game.

Scrum-half David Hewitt was given the all-clear after playing much of the game in France in discomfort from a groin injury.

“We’re not sure at this stage about Ben Davies’s prospects for Friday, but we’ve got players to come back in, like Gareth Owen, Scott Turner and George Tyson, and we’ll still have the dual-reg facility,” added Naylor.

“That gives me a strong base to work on as we strive to maintain our healthy home record.”