Brian McDermott and Brendan Sheridan have named Oldham’s 21-man squad for Sunday’s big game at Whitehaven.

Returning in the 21 after injury are half-back Dave Hewitt, who has missed the last three games with a rib problem, and winger Tommy Brierley, who has had a back injury.

Notable absentees are first and second-choice hookers Gareth Owen and Declan Gregory, both of whom are on an injury list that also includes Matty Wilkinson, Jack Spencer, Phil Joy and Ben Heaton.

Owen, the club captain, is out with a back injury, while Gregory is having treatment for a damaged ankle.

‘Haven know all about Dan Abram and his goalkicking feats because he used to play for them.

They might now learn something about his younger brother Jamie, at 21 one of the youngest members of the squad and its only recognised hooker.

Oldham are desperate to end a run of eight consecutive Betfred Championship defeats.

Whitehaven inflicted the first of the eight at Bower Fold in early May.

Roughyeds were ahead until the last minute of the first half, but after the break, when they had the advantage of the Bower fold slope, they lost their way completely as the Cumbrians stormed to a 36-4 win with an enterprising brand of open rugby.

Roughyeds squad: D Abram, J Abram, Barran, Bent, Bridge, Brierley, Charnock, Dupree, Fletcher, Green, Hartley, Hewitt, Holcroft, Hutchings, Ince, Kirk, Langtree, Nelmes, Pick, Reilly, Roberts.