Oldham coach Scott Naylor received an added bonus after the win over Hemel Stags, as pack leader Adam Neal made a successful return after three months out following concussion.

Naylor said: “The value of a fully-fit Neal can’t be over-played.

"He’s the club’s most experienced forward, cool, calm and collected in all situations and a leader who sets a supreme example to the rest.”

With Neal back in the firing line, Naylor is hoping his forwards will have enough fire power to compensate for the long-term loss through suspension of Danny Bridge.

The 25-year-old back-rower was banned for nine months for assaulting a referee in their 15-8 League One defeat at Keighley last month.

He was charged by the Rugby Football League’s match review panel with a Grade F offence following the incident in the 74th minute when he ran into referee Billy Pearson who then fell to the ground.

Bridge, a former Ireland international who has also played for Warrington, Featherstone, Bradford, Rochdale and Swinton, ran into referee Pearson who then fell to the ground, had pleaded guilty.

A grade F charge, which is at the high end of the disciplinary tariff, carries a suspension of at least eight matches or a specific period of suspension and an independent disciplinary panel opted to impose the nine-month ban.

Back-row forward Adam Jones, out for a few weeks with a back injury sustained at work, is expected to be available for Sunday, giving Naylor 23 players to select from.

Whitehaven coach Carl Forster is still waiting for an update on Stuart Howarth’s arm injury.

Despite suffering a hairline fracture and a chipped bone, Howarth had initially insisted he was prepared to play.

Dion Aiye is closing in on a return to action after suffering a bicep injury in the derby win over Workington Town at Derwent Park. Lewis Brown and Dan Abram are also being assessed for their injuries.

Author Craig Halstead will be at the game at the Vestacare Stadium on Sunday, selling signed copies of his book, ‘Roughyeds - Against All The Odds’, which retails at £12.95. All profits go to the club.

The book covers the first 20 years of the ‘new’ club’s battle to grow and find its own identity and it provides a fascinating story told by players, coaches, fans and club officials.

One example is former director Sean Whitehead’s first-hand account of the launch of Oldham RLFC (1997) Ltd and his revealing thoughts about owner and chairman Chris Hamilton, the one man to hold an official and unbroken connection with the club from its early beginnings in the autumn of 1997 to the present day.