WORKINGTON TOWN v ROCHDALE HORNETS

TWO of the Northern Ford Premiership’s irresistible forces meet head-on at Derwent Park, but which one will be the immovable object?

Hosts Workington feel they must have a distinct advantage in that, apart from the Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Challenge Cup defeat at the hands of Halifax Blue Sox, Town have yet to be beaten at home this season.

Coach Gary Murdock did, however, admit that they have had a few scrapes, one of which was surprisingly against struggling Hunslet Hawks.

But with flying winger Graeme Lewthwaite expecting to pass a fitness test on his back injury and Martin Wood holding off the problem of a slight groin strain, the only doubt surrounds the possibility that prop Lokeni Savelio may not shrug off a hamstring problem in time to play.

The good news for Murdock is that dynamic hooker Owen Williamson is ready to play again and if he comes through a second team test on Saturday, he could be at the very least on the bench,

Rochdale, whose game with Oldham was again postponed last week, should have centre Brendan O'Meara fit, while prop Andy Ireland is almost ready for his return from a pre-Christmas injury.

Good news indeed for coach Martin Hall: "We have a tough test ahead of us at Workington and I shall need all the experience at our disposal for that game,'' he predicted.

HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS v OLDHAM

TABLE-TOPPERS Huddersfield unveiled their latest signing Heath Cruckshank
in time for him to make an appearance in the clash with Oldham.

Cruckshank has been the subject of Giants coach Tony Smith's interest since the former Leigh, Sheffield and St Helens forward was granted a visa two weeks ago.

"We wanted to have Heath here at the start of the season, but things didn't work out that way. But he is here now and I'm really delighted. He is a big signing for the club,'' said Smith, who has every intention to give Cruckshank his head against the Roughyeds.

Smith could also bring in scrum half Mark Moxon of he is given the all-clear following recovery from a fractured cheek.

"I don't know what my starting line-up will be just yet. The only player not available is Mick Slicker,'' said Smith.

Oldham boss John Harbin has no problems over his selection.

"I have 17 available players, that's all that is needed,'' said Harbin, who had second row forward Bryan Henare taken out of the equation with a one-match ban for an alleged tripping incident against Gateshead Thunder.

With Keith Brennan still out with a knee injury: prop Simon Knox transferred to Leigh: Kevin Mannion switching codes to rugby union: Leo Casey retiring and Tommy Hodgkinson on the long-term injury list, Harbin has no other options left open to him.

"It's going to be a tough game. Huddersfield have a solid record in the league and they will be a very difficult side to beat,'' was Harbin's assessment of what lies ahead.

FEATHERSTONE ROVERS v BATLEY BULLDOGS

ROVERS could have ex-Castleford prop Ian Tonks back in harness for the arrival of Batley.

Tonks has been laid low for six weeks with a deep-rooted groin injury, but he has been given the all-clear to play again and coach Ian Fairhurst is expected to at least have him on the bench.

Lee Williamson and Richard Chapman are Fairhurst's main concerns. Both picked up nasty head cuts in the win at Barrow, but should be passed fit.

It's nearly a decade since the Bulldogs last won at the Lionheart Stadium, but coach Paul Storey is hoping the return of Dean Lawford and Craig Wright could sway the balance in his favour.

Leon Williamson, Batley's wing signing from Gateshead may be handed the vote, while dashing fullback Craig Lingard, who has recovered from a long-term injury,
could be on the bench.

KEIGHLEY COUGARS v BARROW RAIDERS

CENTRE Danny Halliwell's return to Halifax, following his loan spell at Cougar Park, leaves a hole in Keighley coach Gary Moorby's plans.

"We will miss his presence on the field,'' admitted Moorby, who will otherwise select from the 18-man squad that took the points against Gateshead last week.

Barrow, for their part, are not about to make any wholesale changes after their weekend off.

Coach Cameron Bell should name a very similar side to that which lost to Featherstone, although he may well have prop Ian Rawlinson available, provided he comes through an injury test on Saturday.

"Ian needs a couple of games under his belt yet, so I may well release him to play for Barrow Island,'' revealed Bell, who will be joined by his son Dean, who is a major influence on the coaching staff with Wigan Warriors, next week.

"Dean has promised to come up and take a training session with me. It's mainly to show the players a difference in how things are done at Super League level,'' said Bell.

SHEFFIELD EAGLES v HUNSLET HAWKS

THE Eagles will be without winger Paul Wells (groin), while loose forward Richard Goddard has not yet recovered from his injury.

Coach Mark Aston, therefore, expects to name halfback Darren Callaghan and promising winger Ryan Knight, who has scored five tries for his Development side, in his line-up.

The Hawks could have Leeds' signings Andy Rigby and Nick Caunt ready to make their debuts, while prop Craig Ibbotson and utility player Dave Jessey could also return from injury.

Ex-Dewsbury and Gateshead hooker Dave Mycoe is expected to sign for the Hawks before the weekend, but coach Roy Sampson is without Andy Wray. He was handed a one-match ban this week for an alleged high tackle against Doncaster.

CHORLEY LYNX v LEIGH CENTURIONS

WITH a handful of former Centurions players forming a "welcome party'', Chorley could well give Leigh a rough ride.

Besides long-serving prop Tim Street, the Lynx have Michael Watts (back from concussion) and Safraz Patel almost certain to play, but unfortunately Martin Roden misses out with a broken toe while scrum half Jon Duffy is an absentee.

However, coach Graeme West will hand ex-Bradford Bulls second row forward Lance Hamilton his home debut, along with new signing Craig Robinson, the former Keighley and Halifax scrum half, who has been out of the professional game for close on 12 months.

Leigh could be without three of their big name players. Jon Roper (shoulder), Vila Matautia (thigh) and Chris Morley (ankle) are all extremely doubtful.

Coach Paul Terzis, therefore, is set to hand former Oldham, Widnes and Bradford prop Simon Knox his first start since signing last week, while Phil Kendrick and Eric Andrews have both recovered from injury.

DEWSBURY RAMS v YORK WASPS

THE Rams are riding the crest of a wave following their big win at Swinton last week and a similar score line could well be expected on Sunday against York.

The only problem is that coach Andy Fisher is without marauding prop Frank Watene, who is banned for two games and utility forward Danny Brough, who got four matches for dissent after being dismissed in an Alliance league game against Oldham.

That will leave Fisher with a front row problem, with Paul Hicks the likely stand-in for Watene.

The Wasps, who have now gone 27 consecutive NFP games without a win, could be minus the services of centre Shaun Austerfield (knee) and second row forward Carl Barrow, who could face disciplinary action next week for an alleged punching incident in the Hunslet defeat, missed training through illness.

GATESHEAD THUNDER v HULL KR

THE Thunder outfit are hoping for a quick about turn in their fortunes, but even with new coach Paul Fletcher at the helm they will be hard-pressed to take anything from the game against Hull KR

Ex-Leeds and Bramley centre Fletcher has apparently been handed the coaching role until Easter, but it will be a tall order for him against the newly named Club of the Month.

Hull KR are having a big season so far and stand to take second place in the NFP after Sunday's game.

Their main doubts are Rob Wilson, Matt Schultz and Lynton Stott, while second rower Andy Smith is set to return from injury.

But the Robins' fans will have to wait at least another week to see new signing Adrian Rainey, from Aussie club Parramatta. His arrival at Craven Park has been held up by a passport problem, according to coach Gary Wilkinson.

DONCASTER DRAGONS v SWINTON LIONS

THE Dragons will be without key playmaker Paddy Handley, who has damaged his ankle ligaments.

Former Hunslet halfback Chris Ross is on standby to take his place, while Dragons coach St John Ellis has plans to bring back winger Richard Smith.

The Lions, in turmoil for numerous reasons this season, will be without goal kicking centre Mick Nanyn, who broke a bone in his hand against Dewsbury last week, while former Huddersfield and St Helens prop Jon Neill shocked coach Tony Humphries by announcing his retirement from the game this week.

Swinton are also in deadlock with Oldham over the proposed move of ex-Barrow half back Anthony Murray, who, according to Humphries, won't even be considered for selection until the matter is resolved.