Duo join Hornets on short-term loan deals

Rochdale Hornets have brought in two new faces ahead of Sunday’s Betfred League 1 trip to Workington Town.

Widnes Vikings outside back Lloyd Roby and young Salford Red Devils half-back Kai Morgan have joined the club on emergency loan deals - Roby for four weeks and Morgan for two.

Roby came through the Vikings academy and returned for his second spell at the club ahead of the 2024 season following a 12-month hiatus which saw him ply his trade for Keighley Cougars.

He has made 56 appearances for the Vikings first team to date, and was recently crowned the club’s Player of the Month for February after scoring in successive games against Doncaster, North Wales Crusaders and Bradford Bulls. 

"It’s no secret we are doing it tough at the minute, with the entire spine of the team decimated by injuries," Rochdale Hornets chairman Andy Mazey said. 

"I'd therefore like to thank Allan Coleman for supporting on this one and for agreeing to loan Lloyd, who is an experienced Championship player and a player who has been going well for Widnes this year. 

"Lloyd is a boost for Gary and the group with the current situation in mind, and his experience will really help us through the next few weeks.

"Thanks must also go to Chris Hamilton for getting this deal through so quickly, meaning Lloyd could join up with the group immediately."

Half-back Morgan, the second of the club’s new recruits, began his career at amateur side Siddal before progressing through the youth ranks at Leeds Rhinos up to academy level.

He joined the Red Devils ahead of the 2024 campaign and made his Betfred Super League debut in last month’s 17-10 home victory against Hull KR.

Morgan will bolster the Hornets’ creative department after Lewis Else suffered an elbow injury during last weekend’s defeat at Oldham.

"I’d like to thank Paul Rowley for helping us out during this difficult period and loaning us one of his first team squad and a very talented young half-back," Mazey added. 

"Thanks also to Ian Blease for the support on this deal.”

The absence of players in key positions have forced the Hornets to turn to the loan market, and we would like to place on record our thanks to Widnes and Salford for their co-operation and support during the extenuating circumstances that we are currently facing.

Head coach Gary Thornton said: “We’re doing it tough at the minute with the complete spine of the team on the sidelines injured, so it was important to get some cover in to get us through this tough period. 

“Big thanks to Andy for helping facilitate the loan moves for Lloyd and Kai, and also to Allan Coleman and Paul Rowley at Widnes and Salford respectively.

“I’ve not known a time where I’ve lost the complete spine of the team, so we have to battle through until they are back and these loan deals will certainly help with that.

“I’m expecting Aiden Roden, Martin Ridyard and Lewis Else to be back over the next couple of weeks, but Gregg McNally and Matt Wilkinson are likely to be longer term. 

I’m also expecting Deane Meadows and Ben Killan to be available soon to bolster our pack.”