Gallagher returns for Swinton

Tommy Gallagher returns for Swinton Lions’ opening Co-operative Championship One fixture, but Richie Hawkyard (hamstring) is definitely ruled out.

Lions coach Steve McCormack said: “We’ve still got a lot of improvement to do, but this is what we’ve been building up to.

“We were disappointed not to go through in the Northern Rail Cup, and we’ve got a tough start to the league season, but it’s something we’ve been working towards and looking forward to.”

Swinton are one of the early-season favourites for the Co-operative Championship One fixture.

McCormack is confident his new-look side can produce the goods in 2011. “We’ve showed at times already that we can play well together.

“If we can just be a bit more consistent and play for the full 80 minutes, then we’ll be OK.”

However, the Swinton coach is not expecting an easy ride against Workington Town. “They’ve strengthened really well, and they’ll be one of the favourites this year,” he said.

Marc Jackson (arm) is Workington’s major injury doubt after last week’s 22-20 Carnegie Challenge Cup defeat at Rochdale.

Town have lost their last three games but joint coach Gary Charlton, who saw his side establish a 20-4 half time lead at Rochdale before collapsing in the second half, believes good results are just around the corner.

Charlton said: “If we can play to that level for 80 minutes then we’ll take some stopping. It’s just a case of getting the fellas to concentrate for the whole match rather than just parts of it.”

Charlton is now asking for a response from his squad when they travel to Swinton.

“It’ll be a great test for us and I expect us to be up for the challenge,” he said.

“We’ve got a few things to prove to ourselves after that last 40 minutes against Rochdale.

“We’re capable of going down there and doing something – it’s just whether the boys are ready to concentrate for the full 80 minutes.”