WHEN Oldham kick-off their Betfred League 1 campaign at Whitehaven on February 18 they could be faced by Salford’s French forward Levy Nzoungou, who helped Roughyeds to beat Keighley Cougars 52-6 in their third and final pre-season warm up.
The giant 20-year-old, who was at Toulouse Olympique last year, played on dual-registration for Scott Naylor’s men at the Vestacare Stadium last week, but he has since signed for Whitehaven on a month’s loan. The Cumbrians have also snapped up Barrow forward Matty While on a similar arrangement.
Coach Carl Forster said: “Levy is a big lad and a strong runner with a great offload. We’re looking forward to seeing him in a Whitehaven jersey.
“We’re also made up to bring Matty in. He will add size to our pack and help to provide the depth that we need.”
Workington Town, the other Cumbrian team that will provide tough opposition for Roughyeds in the coming season, have completed a big-name signing with the arrival at Derwent Park of former Leeds and Great Britain forward Ryan Bailey from Toronto Wolfpack. He will link up with his ex-Toronto team mate Sean Penkywicz.
Roughyeds, meanwhile, are monitoring the progress of centre Matt Reid, two-try hero of the Law Cup win at Rochdale, who has suffered a nasty injury to a finger in training. It kept him out of the two latest pre-season games against Barrow and Keighley.
Said coach Naylor: “He has a deep wound. He’s had the stitches out, but it’s not healing very well so he might have to see a plastic surgeon. It’s too early to say whether we’ll have him back for the opening league game.”
Ben Davies may need a scan on a troublesome back, but Adam Jones (flu), Gareth Owen (foot), Kenny Hughes (finger) and Liam Bent (elbow) are all progressing nicely.