Oldham will have a new player in their squad for Sunday night’s game at the Recreation Ground.

Eighteen-year-old centre Jack Croft will be with the Roughyeds for the clash against Whitehaven.

He has joined as part of the dual registration arrangement put into place for the season between Oldham and Wakefield.

In recent seasons the Roughyeds have enjoyed a good relationship with the Super League club, whose young prop Titus Gwaze is currently on a month’s loan at Oldham and played his first game at Toulouse Olympique last Saturday.

Croft is very highly regarded at Wakefield and has already played in three Super League games, all of them last season.

He is on the verge of more regular first-team selection at Wakefield and is very well thought of at the club.

He was the first player to be signed by Trinity who was born in the new millennium and he had the distinction of scoring on his debut in a Challenge Cup tie against St Helens.

Oldham chairman Chris Hamilton told the club website: “In terms of recruitment one of the things we have struggled to combat this season is the introduction of reserve-team rugby in Super League with the result that there haven’t been as many players knocking about as has been usual in recent years.

“We’ve also been struggling with early-season injuries, particularly in the centre positions, and from Trinity’s point of view dual-reg will allow them to send out younger players to gain valuable experience at a club like ours but not necessarily for a minimum of a month, which applies with a loan agreement.”

As for injuries James Worthigton (groin), John Hutchings (hamstring) and Cameron Leeming (hand) will be checked out at training today.

Danny Bridge, who dislocated a thumb against Widnes and didn’t play in Toulouse, is expected to return.

Whitehaven will have Karl Dixon available again after he missed the trip to London, while Brett Carter is expected to be ready for his competitive debut.

Club chairman Tom Todd confirmed the club are braced for Storm Dennis and said: “We are aware of the weather forecast and the threat expected from Storm Dennis. We will be monitoring the situation closely throughout Saturday and Sunday morning.”