OLDHAM boss Tony Benson should be able to pick from most of his squad for Sunday’s Northern Rail Cup opener against Rochdale Hornets at Boundary Park.

Dave Allen came off with an injury in Sunday’s friendly loss at Barrow, where Neil Roden and Phil Joseph were both absent with back injuries.

Richard Mervill (knee) will be held back for a week, while Gary Sykes (knee) is out for a few more weeks.

Having reached the quarter-finals for the first time in 2008, Oldham embark on this year’s competition in the knowledge that whoever wins the 2009 final will be eligible to apply for a Super League licence in 2011.

Sunday also sees the club display their new squad numbers for the season ahead with Benson telling fans not to read too much into his choices, given that certain players had asked to have particular numbers.

The numbers are:

• 1 – Paul O’Connor;
• 2 – Andy Ballard;
• 3 – Danny Halliwell;
• 4 – Paul Reilly;
• 5 – Lee Greenwood;
• 6 – James Coyle;
• 7 – Thomas Coyle;
• 8 – Paul Highton;
• 9 – Gary Sykes;
• 10 – Jamie I’Anson;
• 11 – Dave Allen;
• 12 – Tommy Goulden;
• 13 – Rob Roberts;
• 14 – Richard Mervill;
• 15 – Jason Boults;
• 16 – Wayne Kerr;
• 17 – Craig Robinson;
• 18 – Neil Roden;
• 19 – Craig Littler;
• 20 – Simeon Hoyle;
• 21 – Lucas Onyango;
• 22 – Phil Joseph;
• 23 – Chris Baines;
• 24 – Marcus St Hilaire;
• 25 – Luke Menzies;
• 26 – Luke Sutton.

Reserves Mark Smith and Anthony Bingham are also in the senior squad but will not be presented with their numbered jerseys until they have played four senior matches.

The club has also announced that season tickets are available to collect from their office at Lansdowne Road, Chadderton.

It is open from 9am-5pm until Friday, or they can be collected at Boundary Park’s ticket office from 12.30pm on Sunday. Receipts must be produced.

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