Knights boss Dave Woods to launch more creative approach

The Knights, who lie third in the table, entertain an Oldham side (3pm) who can finish no lower than second but saw the title – and automatic promotion – slip further away after leaders Hunslet beat Workington on Thursday.

If the standings stay that way, the two clubs would meet again in the first play-off match at Oldham’s Whitebank Stadium, with the winners going to the grand final and the losers getting another bite of the cherry.

And Knights coach Dave Woods was set to give the Roughyeds something to think about by shaking things up with a new system – and a more creative one with Danny Allan being used in a free role at loose-forward.

There are also four changes in personnel to the side that won at Swinton last week – including Woods’ son, Scott, being thrown in to form a new half-back partnership with playmaker Chris Thorman.

“We’re looking at using Danny as a roving ball player,” said Woods senior. “It gives us more options, if we can have three pivots rather than two. He can go himself if he sees something or act as a link man.

“We’ll see how that goes, if it hinders us or is good for us.

He added: “This could be a dress rehearsal (for the play-offs), though it’s a whole different ball game in the semi-finals.

“We’re going to play differently to when we won at their place. If we play them again in the semis, we’ll change things again.

“But firstly it’s important we get the three points. Oldham haven’t got that much to play for – they’re going to be second whatever.

“But Tony Benson (coach) will want them putting in a performance, especially after they lost last week to South Wales. It will be a confidence boost for whoever wins.”

Danny Ratcliffe will revert from scrum-half to his preferred position at full-back, where he played the last hour at Swinton – being named The Press’ man of the match – after James Haynes was injured.

Haynes was to play in last night’s reserves match at Featherstone but had to withdraw due to another bang in training.

Ratcliffe’s switch opens a gap for Woods junior. He has played only once before, as a sub in the easy win at Gateshead in June, and this examination will be much greater.

Woods senior said: “I spoke with a group of senior players – Chris Thorman (player/assistant-coach), Jordan Ross (captain), Jack Lee and Danny Ratcliffe – and they had confidence in him. I don’t think we’d throw him on if we thought he wasn’t up to it.

“It will help out having Danny Allan in there to help out if needs be. I think he will be all right.”

Knights fans will also get a first look at prop Ben Parkinson, the recent recruit from Leeds who has had to wait for his debut due to injury but is set to replace Callum Dinsdale, who is likely to be 18th man.

Elsewhere, Wayne Reittie comes onto the wing for Tom Lineham, who rests a knee problem, Ryan Esders starts at centre, and Lee Waterman, after coming through training unscathed, returns from injury on the bench, in place of the unfortunate Steve Lewis, who was named in the reserves.

Hooker Paul Stamp also continued his comeback from injury last night.

Woods added: “Callum’s been doing a good job for us considering he’s a kid who came from nowhere. We’d like to see how Ben goes in a big, physical game.

“Steve’s a bit unlucky but we thought playing a full game in the reserves would help. He’s only been playing bits and pieces in first grade since his injury.”

Oldham hope to welcome back key playmaker Neil Roden (back) and forward Craig Richardson (back) after injury.

Knights (possible): Ratcliffe, Wilson, Mitchell, Esders, Reittie, Thorman, Woods, Freer, Lee, Benson, Ross, Hardbottle, Allan.

Subs: from Waterman, Parkinson, Duckworth, Stearman, Dinsdale.

Oldham: from O’Connor, Onyango, St Hilaire, Fogerty, Gillam, N Roden, Ashe, McNally, Boults, M Roden, Kerr, Hodson, Chandler, Bentley, Ellison, Clarke, Whitmore, Heaton, Robinson.

Referee: Peter Brooke (Hull).