APART from broken toe victim Paul Crook, Oldham RL Club expect to have a full-strength squad for Sunday’s pre-season clash at home to fellow League 1 promotion aspirants Newcastle Thunder.

Several players picked up knocks at Swinton and final decisions will be made later in the week, but the club’s medical staff have told coach Scott Naylor he has reason to be optimistic.

Naylor will be looking to give a home debut to new boy Adam Brook, a half-back who has arrived on a season-long loan from Halifax. He played half a game at Swinton, but most Roughyeds fans will get their first glimpse of the former Bradford Bulls academy and Keighley Cougars half-back against a strong Thunder side that has set out its stall to win promotion this year.

They have spent considerable money to sign top-quality men like Liam Finn from Wakefield Trinity, Misi Taulupapa and Keal Carlile from Featherstone and Jy-Mel Coleman from London Skolars. Kieran Gill, a centre who needs no introduction to Roughyeds fans, having had two loan spells here, is on a long-term loan from Castleford.

Powerful winger Mo Agoro is another ex-Oldham man, while French international half-back Remi Marginet is expected to be a key man for Thunder.

All eyes though will be on Samoan centre Taulupapa, who has played in the NRL with New Zealand Warriors and Cronulla Sharks and will captain the ambitious Tyneside outfit.

Oldham expect Thunder to pose a threat that will be every bit as tough as those presented by Championship sides Barrow, Rochdale and Swinton.

“They look seriously strong,” said Naylor. “They’ve spent big and it will be interesting to see how we go.”

Oldham have slashed admission prices, charging £10 (£8 concessions and free for under-16s with a paying adult). The usual £2 transfer to seats will apply.