Owen to skipper Oldham in 2018

Oldham ace Gareth Owen will continue his captain role at the club this season.

Owen was captain of his hometown club in 2017 and will lead the Roughyeds again this year.

The 25-year-old is still on rehab after having surgery on his left foot but Oldham head coach Scott Naylor said it was a no-brainer to hand the captaincy role to Owen again.

He said: “He’s the most qualified lad we’ve got for the job and he’s an Oldham lad as well which I think is very important.

“He was very proud when I invited him to accept the responsibility for another year and in accepting – he didn’t think twice.

“It was a shame that injury ruled him out of the last third of the season but he’s looking forward to getting back in harness and training with the rest of the squad as soon as he is able.

“It was tough for us last year, but on and off the field Gareth led with pride and dignity and he’ll do the same again this year.”

And Owen added that he was made up to remain captain of the League 1 club.

He said: “I was buzzing when I was asked to be captain again.

“It’s just a pity I’m still not training with the rest of the boys because I’m on rehab.”