Workington Town coach Leon Pryce has been singing the praises of his skipper Oliver Wilkes as the team prepares for a big month of League One rugby.

Wilkes was singled out for a special mention after Town’s 60-12 home win over Hemel Stags on Sunday.

“I made a point of mentioning Oliver at half-time as I thought he had gone particularly well in the first half,” said Pryce.

“But he does set high standards and has been playing very well all season.

"That was a typical effort from him in conditions which weren’t the easiest.

“It was hot, we had made a slow start and we had a few knocks which meant we had fewer options from the bench but Oliver led from the front and, by half-time, we had a 40-6 lead.

“He’s been in the game for a long time, which in itself is a credit to him."

Wilkes, at 38, was the second oldest player in the game – Town team-mate Fuifui Moimoi is eight months older – but put in a particularly strong shift.

Ulverston-born Wilkes has clocked up over 350 games in the professional game since making his senior debut for Sheffield 20 years ago.

In a remarkable career, he has played for 11 different clubs and was with Leigh and Wakefield for two different spells.

He has managed over 50 appearances for five different clubs, topping 100 with both Leigh and Wakefield.

Wilkes arrived from Barrow during the winter and was immediately appointed captain for his first season in Workington colours. His leadership qualities were certainly to the fore against Hemel.

Pryce has injury concerns ahead of Sunday’s big clash at Oldham but is hopeful of the majority being cleared-up in time.

“We will assess them during the week and see what state they are in by the weekend,” he said.

After the trip to Oldham, Town host Hunslet and then take on neighbours Whitehaven in another crunch derby at Derwent Park.