Haven aim to halt Swinton

Neil Rigby (ankle) and Tommy Gallagher (personal reasons) will both be missing for Swinton, but Lions coach Steve McCormack has hailed the impact of new signing Andy Gorski.

McCormack said: “I was delighted with his performance against Doncaster. He’s added an extra bit of quality to our squad, and he’ll definitely play this week against his old club.”

Whitehaven are the only other side in Co-operative Championship One to have won 11 league games this year, but McCormack dismissed suggestions that this would be his side’s biggest test.

He said: “Every game is a test from now on. I wouldn’t place any game as being bigger than any other.

“This league has proved to be a fantastic league where anybody can beat anyone. We know we’ll have to play well on Sunday if we want the points, our preparation has reflected that.”

He added: “Whitehaven are a good side with threats all over the field. They’ve got two good hookers who control the ruck, they’ve got size up front and they’ve got pace on the edges. Defensively we’re going to have to be solid all round.”

Lewis Palfrey looks set to replace the suspended Tyrone Dalton in Whitehaven’s line up, with Dave Ford (foot) and Reece Fox (foot) being David Seeds’s only injury absentees.

Seeds said: “The quality of player that Swinton have got is very evident, and they’ve also got a cracking coach.

“They’re very disciplined with the ball in hand and they do the basics very, very well. It’s going to be a game of attrition, and I think you’ve got to grind them down.”