Gallagher faces fitness race

Tommy Gallagher is battling against the clock to make his debut for Swinton against Leigh on Sunday.

The 26-year-old prop is fighting to recover from a knee injury picked up in training and is touch and go for the Northern Rail Cup clash at the Leigh Sports Village (3pm).

Gallagher played for Leeds, Toulouse, Hull KR, Widnes and Rochdale before joining the Lions from Batley Bulldogs and is a key member of the squad.

“Hopefully Tommy will be back this week,” said coach Steve McCormack.

“We are not quite sure yet. He tweaked something at the back of his knee last week and it’s a little bit too early to say yet.

“We are hoping it’s not too severe but the medical staff are looking after it.

“If it’s not this week it should be the week after.”

Phil Joseph will be back in the line up after missing last Friday’s NRC opener against Halifax after getting caught up in traffic on the M62.

The Yorkshire club were also held up in the tailback and kick-off was delayed 10 minutes but Joseph still didn’t make it.

McCormack said: “Phil was disappointed. He finished work and got straight on the motorway and got caught in the tailback.

“We had to make a late change or we would have ended up with three on the bench. Neil Rigby came in and did well and I was pleased with his performance.”