MARTYN Ridyard will be hoping to reach a memorable and significant goals milestone in his first competitive game for Oldham Rugby League Club.

The four goals he landed from four attempts in the 24-24 draw against a Wakefield Trinity side at the Vestacare Stadium in a pre-season friendly, including two off the touchline, do not count in official records.

The only ones logged and recorded for official and RFL club and league statistics are those scored in competitive cup and league games.

That leaves the Roughyeds’ experienced stand-off, club captain and goalkicker needing just FOUR goals to reach a career 1,000.

Including 14 drop goals, he currently has 996 goals on his CV so he will be hoping to join the 1,000-Club on Sunday evening at the Vestacare Stadium when community club Lock Lane (Castleford), the pride of Yorkshire, come here (6pm kick-off) in the second round of the Betfred Challenge Cup.

Including those drop goals, he kicked 850 goals for Leigh Centurions; 60 for Swinton Lions; one for Rochdale Hornets; 59 for Featherstone Rovers; and 26 for Huddersfield Giants.

Oldham coach Stuart Littler hopes to have experienced forwards Jordan Andrade and Emmerson Whittel, both of whom missed the Wakefield game, available and back in contention for the cup-tie.

Littler, meanwhile, has spoken of his newly-appointed squad leadership group, which comprises of captain Martyn Ridyard, vice-captain Luke Nelmes and Tom Spencer, David Hewitt and Jordan Andrade.

Said Stu: “I’m looking to those five to set standards, and I know they will. They’re sort of go-betweens whom any of the other lads can go to with questions, worries or concerns if they would rather approach other players before me or Brendan.

“We’re all in this together and we’re all as one, but the group leaders are exactly that -- leaders on and off the field.

“We can all challenge each other, and that involves Brendan and I like all the other lads, and the more we do it the more likely it is we will become a formidable force.

“We can all of us learn lessons, and that involves both me and Brendan, and the leadership group will be a big part of that.”