Kingstone Press Championship Preview: Sheffield Eagles v Halifax

Frustrated Sheffield Eagles coach Mark Aston is without Scott Turner (groin) and prop Ben Jones (broken thumb) ahead of a crucial Kingstone Press Championship clash with Halifax.

Eagles’ home record has been poor in 2014, with last week’s 29-16 defeat against Keighley Cougars the latest in a string of home losses.

Further defeat this week could see Sheffield slip down to eighth place, leaving them fighting to qualify for the play-offs.

In contrast Halifax are aiming to keep the pressure on the top two after last week’s 42-24 victory over Rochdale Hornets.

Halifax coach Karl Harrison said: “Overall it was a great result for us, especially with the way the other results went.

“We’ve got some smiling faces in the changing room. We need to worry about ourselves and nobody else.

“We’ll do our best to get in the top two and give ourselves the best chance of reaching the Grand Final, but there’ll be lots more twists and turns yet this season.

“Points are tough to come by and you’ve got to earn every point this season.”

Adam Robinson is in contention for Halifax, but Dane Manning (suspended) is unavailable.