Selection headache for Swinton

Swinton coach Steve McCormack faces a selection headache for the opening game in the Championship against Sheffield Eagles.

The Lions expect to have a fully fit squad and were hoping to add a couple of new faces to the line-up before Sunday’s match.

Record points scorer Ian Mort is back in contention while new wing signing Kevin Penny is raring to go after being rested for last week’s victory over York.

Ian watson, the Lions’ assistant player-coach, said: “Kev Penny was rested and Rob Foxen came in and did a great job.

“Rob hadn’t really had a game on the wing until this week and Steve said he would give everyone an equal opportunity to stake a claim for a place .

“Rob definitely did that on Sunday so there is a selection headache in the pipeline in the back three.

“Kev, Morty, and Alex Hurst are all available plus the three who played on Sunday in Richie Hawkyard, Gavin Dodd and Rob, who played really well.”

Watson expects a tough challenge against Grand Finalists Sheffield but believes SWinton have played better than their results in the Northern Rail Cup have indicated.

He said: “The four games we have played we’ve had really tough opposition. 

“Barrow are classed as a Championship 1 club but they have mainly got Championship players and the best of Workington’s players from last year.

“They will be very strong in their division and have a great chance of winning it.

“It’s been a good challenge for us.

“We played really well against Hunslet and York, at Barrow in the first half we were poor, but we played well against Workington against some really good players like Jamie Thackray and Graeme Mattinson.

“We seem to be improving week on week apart from a bad half against Barrow so we are doing the right things.

“We are looking like a team that will be competing all season.

“Sheffield is a massive challenge because we are at their place and they were Grand Finalists last season.”