THE famous Brian McDermott, Oldham RL Club’s new coaching consultant, has spoken at length to the relegation-threatened Roughyeds players, who left for home after training “in a very positive mood”.

Two go down from the Betfred Championship and Roughyeds are currently second bottom with two wins from 11 games and 10 left, starting with Sunday’s visit of third-placed Bradford Bulls to Bower Fold (3pm kick-off).

Said club chairman Chris Hamilton: “It is fair to say that Brian had an immediate impact. He spoke to the players at length before training and set out why he was here and what the players needed to do.

“What was said is confidential but during the meeting the players were completely focused and by the end of the meeting, they were itching to get on to the training field.

“Suffice to say, everybody went home in a very positive mood.”

In his playing days, 51-year-old McDermott spent all his playing career at his first opposition Bradford, making 251 appearances.

Oldham’s 21-man squad for the Bradford game will be announced tomorrow.

Club captain Gareth Owen, who has had a back problem, trained normally at the last session, as did Danny Bridge, who has missed the last two games with a knee problem.

David Hewitt, Jack Spencer, Declan Gregory and Ben Heaton were in for treatment.

Prop Liam Kirk, who spent several years at Bradford before signing for Oldham, suffered a head knock against Dewsbury Rams last time out and it isn’t known yet whether he will be cleared for weekend.

Tickets are on sale to both sets of fans via the ticketing page on the Roughyeds website. The game will also be streamed live by Our League, free to Oldham season-ticket holders and priced at £4.95 for everyone else.