SEAN Long is unfazed by the pressure heaped on Oldham ahead of their game of the season away to Workington in League One, a competition they are heavy favourites for, writes Kasey Smith.

Back-to-back defeats have served as a reminder that Oldham – who have brought in 20 new faces this year – are nowhere near the finished article, despite head-turning wins over Halifax and Barrow.

Roughyeds boss Sean Long has used the free weekend just gone for his men to reset as they look to end a three-year stay in rugby league’s third division.

“We set off absolutely flying in three games, and we have just dropped our standards, probably thinking it was going to be a little bit easy,” he admitted.

“We keep learning, there are small details we have gone away from, but we have had some good week’s prep ahead of Workington.”

“As long as we are striving to get better, then I don’t see anything wrong with that.

“We are there and everyone will be gunning for us and trying to knock us off our perch, which is fine.

“I enjoy the outside noise, I thrive on it, I like a challenge – when they say you can’t do it, I like to prove people wrong and this group certainly does as well.”

Roughyeds have played six times since the turn of the year and those games have started to take their toll on Oldham’s forward pack with Elijah Taylor, Craig Kopczak and Pat Moran all facing spells on the sidelines.

Long confirmed the trio are expected to be out for at least a month and issued a challenge for others to step up.

“We’re a bit light in the middle so there is a chance for the lads who come in to have a crack,” he said.

“We said at the start of the year it was going to take a squad performance to get through the year.

“We are looking at four to six weeks for Elijah, Kopy and Pat.”

Admission prices for Sunday’s game at Derwent Park, which kicks off at 3pm, are £15 for adults and £12 for concessions.

Tickets can be found at the Workington Town website – townrlfc.com