OLDHAM Roughyeds looked set for a guaranteed play-off place a few months ago, but inconsistency has hampered their run-in and they welcome Bradford Bulls tomorrow needing a win.

They currently sit in fifth with 30 points, but are level with Whitehaven and Hunslet below them, with the latter having the easiest run-in on paper.

Oldham's victories are consistently followed by defeats, and their away form is a growing concern. They have only won one of the last six on their travels, at lowly Hemel Stags.

They have been unlucky on occasions, though, and nearly did Bulls a huge favour last weekend. They pushed leaders York City Knights all the way at Bootham Crescent, before falling to a narrow 10-6 defeat.

Their home form has been excellent too. They have only lost once at their Bower Fold ground since April 8, a 16-14 defeat against Workington.

Bulls did not have it all their own way when they faced the Oldham at Odsal in March either.

John Kear felt his side played well, but the visitors never allowed them to get away, eventually going down 32-12.

Long-serving head coach and former Bulls centre, Scott Naylor, will be absent from the Roughyeds' game-day operation tomorrow as he is serving the last of a four-game ban.

He got one match on a grade B charge for questioning a refereeing decision in Oldham's 50-6 win against North Wales Crusaders plus three more matches, suspended from a previous case.

Another key man that Oldham could be without is stand-off Paul Crook. He kicked eight goals at home to Coventry a fortnight ago, but hobbled off at half-time with a foot injury at York and did not train this Tuesday.

Versatile back Jack Holmes has scored three tries in his last two appearances for the Roughyeds. He re-signed this season after scoring 13 times in 17 League One games for the club in 2015.

Oldham will have the chance to hit back if they lose to Bulls, but will probably need to rely on other results, even if they are victorious at London Skolars in their final game of the regular season.