BATLEY BULLDOGS v ROCHDALE HORNETS

BULLDOGS boss Paul Storey is keeping his cards close to his chest for the Buddies National Cup (Central) game with Rochdale.

Still smarting from the loss of key back Glen Tomlinson, who lost his appeal against a six-match ban, is expected to stick with the same side that beat Hunslet, thus leaving Dean Lawford with the key role of playmaker.

Back row forwards Adrian Leek and Will Cartledge along with prop Steve Hill will have late fitness tests.

Rochdale received a major set back when it was discovered that ex-Halifax Blue Sox flyer Casey Mayberry will be out for at least six weeks with a broken thumb.

That adds to the loss of centres Brendan O'Meara and Matt Calland, leaving coach Martin Hall with little option but to search round the clubs for replacements.

David Stephenson, Richard Pachniuk, Damian Ball and Latham Tawhai are all set to return from injury, but that still leaves Rochdale with little cover in the centre positions.

LEIGH CENTURIONS v CHORLEY LYNX

CENTURIONS boss Paul Terzis has run into further injury problems ahead of their Buddies National League Cup (West) game against Chorley on Sunday.

Stand in full back Liam Bretherton dislocated his wrist and broke a bone in his arm in a freak incident during the Whitehaven clash last week and is ruled out for at least eight weeks while John Duffy was concussed in the same game and is ruled out for 15 days.

With Lee Sanderson still on the long-term injury list, along with Simon Svabic, Leigh are short on cover for the two half back positions, leaving Terzis to consider one of four options.

"I haven't decided who I will switch as yet, but John Hamilton, Paul Rowley, Adam Bristow or Neil Turley, who has recovered from his ankle injury, can all fill in at stand off,'' said Terzis.

But with Gareth Price free from his suspension, Chris Morley, Vila Matautia and Chris Irwin all fit again, Leigh should be able to field a strong side and keep ahead of Whitehaven in the chase for a quarterfinal spot.

Chorley will have recent signing Graham Close, who scored a brace of tries on his debut against Swinton, calling the shots again, with Liam Jones reverting to the centre role. Close, formerly with Leigh, was making his comeback from a knee injury that had kept him out of the game for 18 months.

Coach Graeme West, glad to see the monkey off his back after clinching their first away win for two years, is determined to put on a show.

"I think we can shock a few teams this season, provided the players continue to believe in their ability,'' said West, who hopes to strengthen his side with another centre and a prop forward.

WHITEHAVEN v BARROW RAIDERS

SECOND ROW forward Dean Vaughan looks set to sit out the Buddies National League Cup game against Cumbrian rivals Barrow, who need one more point to guarantee a place in the quarterfinals.

Vaughan damaged his ankle ligaments in the win over Leigh, leaving Whitehaven coach Paul Cullen to possibly spike Barrow's Cup hopes and promote theirs in the process, by switching Gary Smith off the bench.

"Obviously I need to keep the momentum going after such a good win, so I intend to field as strong a side as possible,'' said Cullen, who is also without Glen Hutton, whose month loan from Barrow has run out.

The Raiders have a number of players in need of treatment before the game.

Cliff Beverley (ankle), Paul Salmon (Achilles tendon), Willie Burns (shoulder). Mark McLaughlin (ankle) and Steve Jackson (foot) are all cause for concern, according to coach Cameron Bell.

"The change in ground conditions has brought a worrying spell of niggling injuries, so I just hope that we don't pick up any more at the weekend,'' said Bell.

WORKINGTON TOWN v SWINTON LIONS

BACK ROWER Anthony Samuel is player coach Martin Wood's biggest headache before the Buddies National League Cup game at home to Swinton.

Samuel is struggling to shake off a thumb injury, while loose forward Gary Charlton is expected to recovery from a back strain.

Should Samuel withdraw from selection Wood could well consider either switching Jamie Beaumont from centre or upgrading local born John Addison from the Academy side.

Swinton, clinging onto their League status by the skin of their teeth, have Craig Dean (ribs), Dean Holdstock (shoulder), Alan Shea (shoulder) and Mike Loughlin (virus) all extremely doubtful.

And those injuries have forced acting coach Tony Barrow to call for a big response from his players: "This is a very tricky period for the club, so let's see what the players are really made of,'' said Lions' chief executive Barrow, who could also be without new signing Peter Cannon, who injured his arm in the Chorley defeat.

HUNSLET HAWKS v OLDHAM

THE Hawks still have Dave Jessey out of commission with badly bruised ankle ligaments, but could have Tony Howcroft back for their Buddies National League Cup (Central) game with Oldham.

Lee Bargate (ankle) should pass a fitness test in what is likely to be an otherwise unchanged side, although ex-Gateshead utility back Mike Johnson could return from injury to fill the fullback role.

Johnson was recently involved in a car accident and had received treatment for whiplash, but he has resumed training this week.

Oldham will be minus on-loan half back John Braddish, who has been recalled by Super League side St Helens this week, while David Foster could also return to Leeds following his on-loan spell.

Foster was heading for Warrington, but the Wolves turned down the chance to take up his contract, leaving him a disappointed player.

"The lad was really looking forward to the move to Warrington, but I just hope that we can retain his services now,'' said Oldham coach John Harbin, who may also be without Phil Farrell.

Keith Brennan is expected to return from injury, while 17-year-old Paul Bennett, a promising prospect who has come through Oldham's Academy set-up could well make his first team debut in one of the half back positions.

HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS v DEWSBURY RAMS

THE Giants could well introduce four new faces now that they have secured a quarterfinal spot in their Buddies National League (Central) section.

Second rower Jon Grayshon and prop Chris Plume, who both had loan spells with Gateshead Thunder, along with hooker Chris Archer, on loan from London Broncos and new wing signing Olu Iwenofu are all poised to make their first team debuts.

Coach Tony Smith is prepared to give the youngsters a chance rather than risk further injuries, having already lost prop Jeff Wittenberg and hooker Darren Turner with dead leg injuries from last week's win at Rochdale.

"It might be appropriate to give these boys a chance to see how they can handle playing in the first team,'' said Smith.

Dewsbury coach Tony Fisher is also of the same mind, for he plans to unleash Craig Taylor, Mike Gibbons, James Ward and Craig Miles, while 26-year-old Lee Riddell, who played a major part in Yorkshire's 22-18 win over Lancashire in the BARLA County Championship final at Featherstone, will get his chance on a bigger stage.

"Lee has the opportunity to show his worth with Dewsbury. We have offered him terms, now it is up to him,'' said Fisher, who also plans to have ex-York players Jamie Benn and Ian Kirke in his line-up.

FEATHERSTONE ROVERS v HULL KR

FEATHERSTONE boss Ian Fairhurst is still not sure whether to risk Chris Spurr to face Hull KR in the Buddies National Cup (East) clash with leaders Hull KR.

Rovers are badly in need of a win to keep in touch with the Robins and Doncaster and could well miss out on a chance of a quarterfinal place if they lose on Sunday. But centre Spurr is still feeling the effects of an elbow injury and Fairhurst may opt to leave Steve Dooler and Richard Newlove at centre.

Meanwhile, Hull KR have built up a massive injury list that is causing concern for coach Gary Wilkinson.

Alasdair McLarron (neck), Lynton Stott (hamstring), Mike Dixon (knee), Matt Schultz (back), Richard Wilson (arm), Jon Wilkin (shoulder), Dean Andrews (Achilles tendon), Craig Farrell (knee) and Andrew Taylor (hand) are all having treatment with little success, according to Wilkinson.

"It's becoming a problem getting players fit to play,'' declared Wilkinson.

Steve Cochran, Alan Dunham, Gary Noble, Joe Chambers and Tom Cowan are all on stand by.

DONCASTER DRAGONS v GATESHEAD THUNDER

DRAGONS fans can expect to welcome a handful of young hopefuls when they take on Gateshead in the Buddies National League Cup (East) on Sunday.

Props Chris Hemmings and David Bolus, along with half backs Dean Colton and Wayne Green will be given the green light while former Gateshead centre Gareth Lloyd, who has been training at Doncaster since he was released by Thunder two months ago, gets the chance to turn on the style against his former club.

"I want to see the youngsters in action at this level. Wayne has played a few times before, but the others are making their debuts,'' said coach St Johns Ellis.

Gateshead will also hand second outings to Chris Fletcher and Gareth Thornton, who figured for the first time at Sheffield last weekend.

Fletcher, 18-year-old son of Gateshead's acting coach Paul, is an ex-Scottish Student international loose forward, while Thornton plays rugby union for Leeds Tykes and could well switch codes permanently at the end of April.

Gareth Baron (knee), Craig Firth (dead leg) and Rob Keegan (tonsillitis) are all in need of fitness checks, according to team boss Fletcher.

SHEFFIELD EAGLES v KEIGHLEY COUGARS

EAGLES boss Mark Aston will hand ex-Great Britain student winger John Breakinbury his debut chance against Keighley in the Buddies National League Cup at the weekend.

Aston sees Breakinbury as another player for the future and believes he could switch to the centre role once he has found his feet in the game.

"We have some very good youngsters at the club who could well go all the way to the top,'' declared Aston, who last week handed 18-year-old hooker Adam Carroll his first ream chance.

"We have taken Adam on a three-year contract. He is a tough little player with a good future,'' said Aston.

Andy Brent, Wayne Kite and Adrian Flynn are also in line to return from injury.

Keighley will hold back their selection hoping that Stuart Calvert and Max Tomlinson will be handed the all clear to play following their stint on the sidelines through injury.