Haven boss Gary Charlton says he is impressed with the club’s trialist forward Ethan Kelly.

The Millom prop, who appeared in the pre-season friendly against Newcastle, shone in Sunday’s League One clash at Oldham.

He had two tries disallowed – one of them controversially for a forward pass – but generally showed up well against the title favourites.

Kelly is on a month’s trial with the Recreation Ground club and is shaping as though a contract offer could be on the table in March.

Coach Gary Charlton is certainly well pleased, praising his efforts in the 36-12 loss against the Roughyeds.

“He did everything we wanted from him as a front row forward and had three good stints for us, towards the end of the first half, early in the second half and in the closing 15 minutes.

“Ethan took the ball up hard, was quick on the play-the-ball and used the ball well. His defence was excellent as well.

“He is proving a popular lad with the rest of the squad and has been quickly accepted. His enthusiasm is infectious and he is training really well.

“We thought he was definitely worth looking at for a month and that’s what will happen. So far we are very pleased,” aid Charlton.

Kelly had been watched by Charlton playing for Millom in a Challenge Cup clash with Red Star Belgrade in which he was man of the match. That prompted an invitation to training and a subsequent month’s trial.

Kelly spent time on trial with Barrow Raiders two years ago in pre-season.

The Millom forward is sure to be involved in Whitehaven’s next game, a Challenge Cup clash with Wigan St Patrick’s.

Meanwhile Scott Naylor, whose Oldham side has played both Whitehaven and Workington so far, is looking forward to the day when his “quality” squad reaches its full potential.

The Roughyeds lost 32-28 at home to Town and followed up with that victory over Haven.

He said: “After a defeat it’s always important to come back with a win, so I was very pleased with that but we’ve still got a lot of improvement in us and that’s a massive positive.”