OLDHAM winger Kieran Dixon is determined to lead the challenge to his former club London Broncos as both sides aim to back up their claims to a Super League berth through success in the new second tier.
A prolific try-scorer throughout his career, he has notched 22 in 22 matches since moving from Widnes in July 2024.
Dixon’s nine in seven outings that year helped clinch promotion as League One champions, while last season brought a fourth-place finish in the old Championship.
A broken arm limited his appearances, but the former Hull KR, York, Leigh and England Knights player, who started out at London and had a second spell there between 2017 and 2020, is now feeling in good condition.
He told Roughyeds TV: “I’m fighting fit and have started pre-season well after working in the gym and running since the end of last season.
“The work is tough, but the season start is early this time (Oldham are scheduled to face the new version of Salford on Friday, January 16), so this period leading into Christmas are very important for us to get together as a squad and get into shape.
“My personal goal is to try not to get injured. I missed a massive chunk because of my broken arm. That was upsetting, because I came here to play good rugby and before the injury, I was on that path and playing well. Now I want to start the season that way.”
With Sean Long and Joe Wardle having left in November, Oldham are set to go into the season with director of rugby Mike Ford and newly-installed assistant coach Callum Irving leading the side.
And Dixon added: “Over the last two seasons, the work ethic was massive, and to finish fourth in our first attempt in the Championship was really good.
“We have to try and kick on this time. We understand the end goal, and that is to win the league.”