Championship Preview: Hunslet v Swinton (Sun)

Hunslet Hawks coach Barry Eaton will give late fitness tests to halfback duo Luke Helliwell and Danny Grimshaw ahead of their meeting with Swinton Lions.

Grimshaw has been missing with ankle ligament damage and Helliwell a hamstring complaint.

Eaton hopes that at least one player comes through to partner recent signing James Coyle at halfback, but describes both as having an “outside chance” at present.

Eaton added: “Swinton are a team that can play some really good stuff – every time I’ve seen them and looked at their games, they’ve been a real threat with the ball in their hands.

“We have to stifle that and defend whatever they throw at us.”

David Clayton and Scott Watson are both available again after returning to full training.

Swinton have suffered a significant blow with the loss of fullback Richie Hawkyard for two weeks with a shoulder injury.

Jack Morrison is out with a broken hand, Matt Sarsfield is rated at 50/50 after rolling his ankle in training, and Jack Cooper is still “very doubtful” with a bruised hip.

On the plus side, Warrington Wolves dual registration players Tyrone McCarthy and James Laithwaite are both set to return, and James Mendeika could also be back from a loan spell at London Broncos.

“We’ve got to chop and change a bit again which isn’t ideal,” coach Gary Chambers said.

“Hunslet are a very big side, probably the biggest we’ve played, and it will be a physical, tough game for us on that field.

“They will have plenty of power down the middle and we have to defend better than we have done.”