McCormack gives players a chance

Steve McCormack is determined to give every player in his squad the chance to stake a claim for a first team spot.

But once the Championship One season starts against Workington on March 13 the chopping and changing will stop.

Swinton have at least two more games in the northern Rail Cup – against Oldham and Gateshead – and then play in the third round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup against East Hull before the league campaign gets underway.

And the Lions coach said: “We have had 25, 26 players training regularly and committing themselves three and four nights a week.

“They’ve worked hard in the close season and I said if they do that they would always get a chance to stake their claim for a regular first team place.”

McCormack has rotated his players in the two pre-season games and the NRC clashes against Halifax and Leigh although he is expected to pick a strong line-up against Oldham at the Willows on Sunday (3pm).

He added: “I’ve made no secret that the league is our priority and by the time that league programme comes I won’t be swapping and changing.

“But it’s fair to say that everyone deserves a start.

“I’ve had a look at people in different positions and as the league programme draws closer we will get a little bit more continuity.

“Everyone has had ample opportunity over the last four games to make the jersey their own.

“Nobody can turn round in a couple of weeks and say they haven’t been given the opportunity.”