Oldham will almost definitely be without their most dangerous player when they face-off against Workington Town in the Championship Shield on Sunday.

Prop-forward Michael Ward faces a ban from the Rugby League Disciplinary Panel tonight for the alleged use of his elbow in the recent relegation season battle with Town at Bower Fold, which the Cumbrians edged 30-28.

The Roughyeds star is on a grade C charge following an incident eight minutes from the end when the home side, trailing by two points, were attacking strongly. He had scored just after half-time to put Oldham back in the game and was a threat to Town every time he burst on to the ball at speed.

In the incident, which led to the charge, he was again threatening to break through when he was stopped in a one-on-one tackle by Town’s mercurial half-back Jarrod Sammut. The result was a scuffle and after the touch-judge notified the referee, Oldham were penalised.

Following on from that, the incident was picked up by the RFL’s Match Review Panel, whose charge against the Oldham forward carries a recommended sanction of two to three matches.

Ward had the option of submitting an Early Guilty Plea but even that would carry a two-match ban, causing the prop to miss his side’s opening two games in the Championship Shield against Workington and Swinton Lions.

The Match Review Panel also scrutinised a tackle on Adam Clay by Sammut when his legs were taken above the horizontal. He landed heavily on his shoulder and sustained a grade-two tear, which might rule him out of the re-match and possibly the next game at Swinton.

Sammut was cautioned by the Panel for what was described as a dangerous throw, but it was not considered serious enough to warrant a charge.

Ward’s suspension would be countered by a similar ban for Town’s Karl Olstrum, who played a key role in Town’s narrow win.

He will miss his side’s return visit to Bower Fold following a two-match ban for punching David Allen in Town’s previous game against derby rivals Whitehaven.