MESSAGES of support and goodwill are flowing for Oldham Rugby League Club assistant coach Brendan Sheridan who is battling coronavirus in a West Yorkshire hospital.

The 40-year-old former scrum half and hooker was taken ill two weeks ago.

In an initiative launched by Dewsbury Celtic the club he left to join the local club, nicknamed "Roughyeds", Oldham players and others from clubs throughout rugby league are running a mile and then nominating someone else to do the same in support of Brendan's fight.

The campaign is being widely shared on Twitter where players are taking selfies, giving out messages and then nominating somebody else to do the same either before or after their one-mile run.

In his video message to Brendan, Roughyeds centre Cameron Leeming said: "Get well soon mate. We are all thinking about you. You'll be back using this tripod again soon no doubt."

Cameron then nominated Harry Aaronson to do something similar.

The Oldham club, meanwhile, repeated its earlier message of support to Brendan, who is the brother of Castleford Tigers number two, Ryan Sheridan, and who was head coach at Dewsbury Celtic for several years before Matt Diskin invited him to become his right-hand man at Roughyeds in November.

Roughyeds chairman Chris Hamilton said: "Everyone at the club is thinking about him at this tough time for both him and his family.

"The family have been keeping me up to date with his situation by telephone.

"All our thoughts are with Brendan and his family and we wish him a speedy recovery."