SWINTON LIONS v ROCHDALE HORNETS

ASSISTANT coach Paul Kidd will once again be in charge of Swinton's pre-match talk with the players after coach Peter Roe continued to be dogged by a mysterious foot injury.

Roe hasn't watched Swinton train since the Powergen Challenge Cup game at Wigan and has been forced to discuss tactics over the phone with Kidd.

But Roe will know that Aussie centre Kris Tassell is still not fit, while Peter Cannon and Phil Cushion may just make the kick-off.

Hornets add Warren Ayres and Aussie Steve Doherty to their 20-man squad, but coach Martin Hall is still on the lookout for a top-rate standoff.

He was recently linked with ex-Workington and Keighley play-maker Martyn Wood, but that move has been put on ice, according to Hall, who may switch his attentions to Dewsbury for a possible swap-deal now that the Rams have Danny Wood on loan.

SALFORD CITY REDS v LEIGH CENTURIONS

THE Reds team boss Karl Harrison is in the enviable position of having a fully fit squad to choose from for the Arriva Trains (West) clash with title rivals Leigh.

Following the clubs record haul of 100 points against lowly Gateshead, Salford will want to use that victory as a benchmark for future games.

But Harrison knows only too well that Sunday's opponents Leigh will be a different kettle of fish.

"I regard Leigh as our biggest threat this season and any win over them will always prove psychological for any future meetings,'' said Harrison.

Harrison's main concern is to have the right balance in his side and that could mean leaving youngster Karl Fitzpatrick, Radney Bowker and Andy Gorski out of the reckoning, even though they played exceptionally well against Thunder.

Therefore, Gavin Clinch is likely to come back in at scrum half, if only for his experience.

Leigh will run a check on ex-Great Britain and St Helens forward Sonny Nickle, who is still struggling with an inflamed elbow, while Sean Richardson is in need of treatment on an ankle injury.

The Centurions were held to an 18-18 draw at Hilton Park when the sides last met, but coach Paul Terzis hopes to go one better this time.

"We had the game under our belt, but they scrambled through to get the draw. I don't expect that to happen this time,'' said Terzis.

With Salford standoff Steve Blakely creating a new club goals scoring record with 14 against Gateshead and Leigh fullback Neil Turley equalling John Woods' club points record of 38 against Swinton, this clash of the Titans could be of epic proportions.

BATLEY BULLDOGS v DEWSBURY RAMS

THE Bulldogs may well face a change or two in their line-up against Dewsbury, according to coach Paul Storey.

"I didn't like losing at Hunslet last week, so there could well be a few changes, ''confirmed Storey, who may well consider Matt Bramald, Simon Lewis, Joe Naidole and Steve Hill as four possibilities.

"This is a game we have got to win if we are to be in contention for a place in the next part of the competition,'' said Storey.

Dewsbury welcome back Chris Chapman, Chris Redfearn, Tony Fella and Ian Kirke, although coach Andy Fisher has been rocked by a move request from halfback Scott Rhodes.

"Scott said that he can't seem to settle and he is not enjoying his football, so the board will discuss the matter now,'' confirmed Fisher.

The arrival of Danny Wood on loan from Rochdale may also have influenced ex-Sheffield Eagles halfback Rhodes, who could move back to his home city of York, if his request is granted.

With Batley winger Jeremy Dyson ruled out with a broken arm from his first game on loan with Dewsbury and Fisher contemplating leaving himself out, the Rams could well field a much-changed side at Mount Pleasant.

BARROW RAIDERS v OLDHAM

THE Raiders could well put themselves in an unassailable position for a place in the next stage of the competition, should they beat Oldham in this cross-section game.

The Raiders are second to unbeaten Whitehaven in the North section and have a four-point lead on nearest rivals Chorley, so victory could seal things for them.

With Phil Atkinson set to return from a knee injury and only Geoff Luxon (broken thumb) out with a long-term injury, coach Cameron Bell has every chance of naming his strongest side.

West division side Oldham coach Steve Molloy faces the prospect of missing his second game in succession with a knee injury, while goal-kicker Gareth Barber has a knee injury that may well sideline him too.

Phil Farrell also had a set-back when his injury flared up last weekend, the outcome of which could put a further two weeks on his intended return, while Darren Shaw faces the prospect of another scan on his hernia problem.

However, props Danny Guest and Jason Clegg are both set to return to the game and that's good news for Molloy, who questioned his players following the defeat at Rochdale last week.

"There are less than four weeks to go to the start of the National League season, which doesn't give us much time to get things right. We need to be all signing from the same hymn book, not just a few of the players,'' said Molloy.

FEATHERSTONE ROVERS v HUNSLET HAWKS

PLAYMAKER Richard Chapman is coach Andy Kelly's biggest injury doubt for the cross-section game with Hunslet.

East leaders Featherstone have already ruled out Robin Jowitt (ankle
ligaments) and Andy McNally (broken nose), so if Chapman pulls out it could leave Kelly with a major problem.

"Hunslet are a very impressive side at the moment and while we were very professional in our win at Sheffield, it won't be any easier this week,'' said Kelly, who has winger Jamie Stokes topping the try-list with 12.

"Jamie is playing his best ever rugby league for the club, thanks to some excellent centre play by Brendan O'Meara,'' said Kelly.

Central leaders Hunslet, however, have a problem or two themselves to sort out. Utility forward Gareth Naylor snapped a tendon and will be out for at least three months, but that could be offset by the arrival of Chris North on loan from Batley.

North will probably start on the bench, leaving Jon Liddell to continue at hooker and Paul Seal at loose forward, while Andy Bastow faces his old club for the first time since his move to Hunslet.

"We need to win two of the next three games to make certain of a place in the next stage,'' coach Roy Sampson will no doubt remind his players ahead of Sundays clash.

WORKINGTON TOWN v WHITEHAVEN

INJURY-HIT Workington will be relieved to have Gateshead's Craig Fisher on board ahead of Sunday's clash with neighbours Whitehaven.

Coach Paul Penrice has managed to prise Fisher away from Thunder and expects him to play a part in Sunday's game.

"Craig will be a useful acquisition for us. He can play at halfback or hooker and those are two areas where we have been short of cover,'' said Penrice.

With William Blackburn back in training following a broken thumb and Jamie Beaumont on the verge of a comeback from injury, there seems to be a little more light at the end of the tunnel for Workington.

Unbeaten Whitehaven, with seven straight wins under their belts, have Gary Purdham back in the squad of 17, while hooker Marc Jackson is available again.

But Paul O'Neill (knee) and Spencer Miller (dead leg) are both extremely doubtful, according to coach Steve McCormack, who is not looking forward to his short trip across Cumbria.

"I understand that we haven't won at Workington for more than five years, so this is not going to be an easy trip,'' he said.

YORK CITY KNIGHTS v SHEFFIELD EAGLES

KNIGHTS boss Paul Broadbent, sickened by the injury to Aussie halfback Jon Firth, has managed to get Castleford youngster Andy Thaler on loan.

The Tigers Academy halfback will be in York's squad of 17 for Sunday's clash against Sheffield, more so because of a further injury to ex-Hull KR standoff Mark Cain.

"There was quite a big queue for treatment this week,'' said Broadbent.

Firth will be out for upwards of three months after rupturing the tendons in his bicep while Cain picked up a hip injury against his old club. Centre Graeme Hallas is also a doubt with a damaged knee.

Also missing with a back injury is hooker Lee Jackson, leaving coach Broadbent to continue his search for more players.

Scott Rhodes, who has asked for a move from Dewsbury, is believed to be part of Broadbent's shopping list and could well be in the side on Sunday against one of his former clubs.

Sheffield have Wayne Flynn, Jon Bruce, Damian Whitter and winger Ian Thompson back in contention for a place, while new Aussie signing Tony Weller came through his debut game for the club with no after-effects.

LONDON SKOLARS v KEIGHLEY COUGARS

SKOLARS' coach Mark Croston, buoyed by last week's performance at Dewsbury, expects to make minimal changes for the home game against Keighley.

Loose forward James Hersey is ruled out for at least three weeks with a badly dislocated shoulder, while Brett McCroary will rest his damaged shoulder.

That apart, Croston anticipates a similar line-up with Charlie Oyebade and Obi Ijeoma being the two injury replacements.

"It's quite pleasing to have fewer changes than in recent weeks. That was our best performance by far at Dewsbury and I felt at one stage that we were going to win the game, but we just lacked that little bit of experience,'' said Croston, who crawled out of his sick bed to watch the game.

Keighley boss Gary Moorby, who has the rare commodity of being one of the few coaches to have taken a side to Skolars ahead of their introduction to the professional game, is boosted by the return from injury of Paul Ashton, while Mick Durham, Lee Patterson and the experienced Matt Foster are all added to his squad to travel.

"I'm lucky enough to know what to expect when we go to Skolars, because I went there twice with Keighley Albion,'' said Moorby, who expects it to be a little tougher this time.

DONCASTER DRAGONS v HULL KR

THE Dragons will be without utility back Chris Ross for the home game against Hull KR.

Ross has been suspended for two games for a punching incident in the game against York, but coach St John Ellis will have forwards Maea David and Craig Lawton fit to play, while Craig Horne came through his first game back from suspension without any problems.

Hull KR will again parade their two new signings, ex-Great Britain front row forward Harvey Howard and local product Ian Bell.

Both joined the Robins ahead of last Sunday's home game against York and 20-year-old ex-Hull centre Bell scored on his debut, while Howard came off the bench to play a prominent part in the 32-14 win.

Centre Craig Farrell picked up a neck injury, but he is expected to be given the all clear to play, while scrum half Latham Tawhai and hooker Paul Pickering were both declared fit after being substituted last week.

CHORLEY LYNX v GATESHEAD THUNDER

CHORLEY boss Darren Abram has secured the services of Oldham forward Dave Newton for a further one-month period and names him in the side to play against Gateshead.

But Gavin Johnson, also on loan from Oldham and Marlon Miller (knee), along with ex-Leigh prop Tim Street are all doubtful.

Winger Dave Ingram is still sidelined by a groin strain.

Gateshead have Kevin Neighbour and Richie Barnett both doubtful for the match.

Shell shocked coach Paul Fletcher, who watched his side beaten 90-8 at home to Salford and four days later lose 100-12 at the Willows, admitted that he came close to resigning.

"Had it not been for the support from other coaches in the game who telephoned me on Monday, I might have packed it in,'' said Fletcher, who also admitted that the heartening words in the post-match chat with Salford's Karl Harrison eased the pain.