BARROW RAIDERS v ROCHDALE HORNETS

THE Raiders will run a check on forwards Wayne Jones and Matt Leigh, while winger Danny Lockhart could also miss out through injury.

With top scorer Paul Salmon struggling to overcome his leg injury, coach Cameron Bell is feeling the strain of too many injuries.

"It's not easy to get a pattern to our game and while Dave Clark, Damien Whitter and Geoff Luxon are improving, I don't feel that they are ready yet,'' said Bell, who may have to turn out another young side.

Rochdale are minus the bustling David Stephenson, who is still feeling the effects of a heavy tackle suffered at Whitehaven last week, but Joe Berry and David Larder could be added to coach Martin Hall's squad to travel.

FRIDAY:

KEIGHLEY COUGARS v SHEFFIELD EAGLES

KEIGHLEY are poised to strike a blow for the future and coach Gary Moorby sees the Friday night game against Sheffield as their window of opportunity.

The Cougars took quite a mauling at the hands of Leigh Centurions last week, but a refreshed Moorby, back from a family holiday in France, believes the team can put that game behind them.

"It's an ideal chance for us to get some points in the bag. We need a result and Sheffield have lost three games in a row, so that must give us some heart,'' said Moorby, who will have Craig Horne back from a hamstring injury, but could be without David Foster (dead leg) and Chris Wainwright (ankle).

Moorby is also determined to solve the problem of stay-away halfback Paul Ashton, who has asked to be released.

"Paul is having difficulty travelling from his home in Oldham. But I want to protect the interests of the club and feel that if he does move on then we need a player-exchange. We only have a paper-thin squad at Keighley and we can't afford to lose any player at this stage of the campaign,'' said Moorby.

The Eagles have their share of problems too, with coach Mark Aston prepared to make a number of changes following the heavy defeat at Dewsbury.

Ian Brown, Lee Bettinson, Jon Bruce, Jon Breakingbury and Mick Stringer are all added to the squad as Aston seeks a marked improvement.

"We were shocking at Dewsbury. Certain players didn't perform on the day and that can't continue to happen,'' warned Aston.

SATURDAY

DONCASTER DRAGONS v WORKINGTON TOWN

DRAGONS coach St John Ellis could make his third appearance in a row, following his shock return from the wilderness, and that could spell problems for Workington.

Ellis turned out against Dewsbury following a two-year playing absence and followed that with another appearance against Chorley last week. Significantly, Doncaster won both games.

"I am keeping myself fit and didn't feel any after-effects from either game,'' said Ellis, who could be swayed into action by the news that Workington are without player-coach Martin Wood, who broke a thumb in the defeat to Huddersfield last week.

Ellis is determined to hoist Doncaster into the top echelon again, by hook or by crook and if playing is the answer, then he may well continue in his role at stand off.

Town's problems centre round player-coach Wood, but Tane Manihera, Stuart Hoyle and Ricky Wright could also be ruled out through injury.

BATLEY BULLDOGS v HULL KR

COACH Paul Storey will run a check on key halfback Dean Lawford (groin) ahead of their home game against Hull KR (kick-off 3.30).

Lawford missed Batley's win at Oldham, but his return could bolster the Bulldogs bid to leap into the top nine.

With Adie Leake (groin) and David Rourke (dead leg) also in doubt, Storey will be glad of Lawford's presence on the pitch.

"Even though we have brought the game forward a day, we are expecting a good gate, especially if last season's crowd of more than 1,200 for the same game is anything to go by,'' said Batley chief executive Ron Earnshaw.

The Robins, singing merrily again after their big win over Barrow last week, will be without Alex Godfrey (work commitments), Dane Dorahy and Andy Smith, but have Richie Hayes, Jon Wilkin back in contention for a place.

"This will be a tough game. Batley scored a top win last week, so they will be keen to keep the ball rolling, but we played more like our old selves last week and that was very pleasing,'' said Hull KR team boss Gary Wilkinson.

SUNDAY

WHITEHEAVEN v LEIGH CENTURIONS

TOP Northern Ford Premiership match is that between Whitehaven and Leigh.

The Cumbrians are riding the crest of a wave following the big win over second-placed Rochdale and coach Paul Cullen feels that back-to-back wins will enhance their top four chances.

"It's possible our biggest game yet,'' said Cullen, who will want to avenge last season's home defeat and also the Challenge Cup loss earlier this season.

With loose forward Chris McKinney missing with concussion and David Seeds still out with a neck injury, Cullen could spring a surprise by naming on-loan centre Rob Jackson from Wigan Warriors.

Jackson has just spent a month with Tetley’s Super League side London Broncos and will be keen to impress. Cullen sees him as a possible stand-in for the injured Seeds.

Third-placed Leigh will be without both their first choice hookers, with John Hamilton (broken hand) and Paul Rowley (facial injury) both non-starters, according to coach Paul Terzis.

"It isn't too worrying not to have a recognised hooker in the side. There are ways of compensating for that,'' said Terzis, who could also be without fullback Neil Turley (shin), Vila Matautia (thigh) and Dave Whittle (calf) into the bargain.

FEATHERSTONE ROVERS v DEWSBURY RAMS

ROVERS are buoyed by the near clean bill of health following a week's rest, leaving coach Andy Kelly to name another strong line-up against neighbours Dewsbury (kick-off 4.00).

"We are now aiming to consolidate our top four position and see victory as the perfect opportunity to do just that,'' said Kelly.

With few changes expected from the side that beat Leigh two weeks ago, Kelly can go into the game in the right frame of mind, but he is wary of the Rams potential.

"I watched Dewsbury last week and was very impressed. Frank Watene and Jimmy Elston are two players we will have to watch very carefully,'' said Kelly.

The tussle between Elston and Featherstone's free-scoring Jamie Rooney could be the centrepiece of the action, while the return of Andy Speak, Ryan Hardy, Nathan Batty and Carl Briggs could well strengthen Dewsbury's claim.

"It's another massive game and I feel we need our best team on the park for this one,'' said Dewsbury player-coach Andy Fisher, who ruled himself out of contention following keyhole surgery on his injured left knee.

HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS v GATESHEAD THUNDER

LEAGUE Leaders Huddersfield should have little difficulty in disposing of basement club Gateshead, even though coach Tony Smith plans to introduce several of his younger players.

"I would like to see a couple of the Under 19's in the side, but that depends on the injury situation,'' said Smith, who has David Atkins, Paul Reilly and Chris Langley struggling to recover in time to play.

"I won't risk any player who is not fully fit and that's why I may bring in some of the younger talent. We shall respect Gateshead if not because they are doing a terrific job in promoting the game in their area,'' echoed Aussie coach Smith, who is currently negotiating a further contract with Huddersfield, even though he has been linked to a possible move back home.

Gateshead see this as a possible David and Goliath challenge, with coach Paul Fletcher determined to get the best from his young players.

"There is always the chance that Huddersfield could stumble and I would like to think we could be the team to bring about their fall,'' said the ever-optimistic Fletcher, who is set to switch Jermaine Coleman to stand off with Steve Rutherford slotting in at loose forward.

Sam Tunnell and Steve Bradley are also set to return from injury.

HUNSLET HAWKS v OLDHAM

THE Hawks will be without the luckless Dave Jessey (badly bruised shin) as coach Roy Sampson plots another possible shock result.

Hunslet came back from the brink of defeat against Swinton last week to snatch a draw and Sampson sees that as a possible break through.

"We showed great character in the dying stages of that game,'' revealed Sampson, who is set to hand trialist Kiwi half back Teremoana Iaona his second slot following an impressive debut.

Oldham must face Hunslet without prop Paul Norton (bruised ribs) and centre Anthony Gibbons (groin), but coach John Harbin is hopeful that Danny Guest and John Braddish will fill the breach on both counts.