Stan Townsend previews this weekend's round of LHF Healthplan National Leagues One, Two and Three fi

BEWARE the wounded Tiger. That's the warning, which will filter through to Rochdale as they face Castleford for the first time in the LHF League One competition this season.

Castleford suffered their first defeat of the current season at the hands of Halifax in last weekend's Powergen Challenge Cup fourth round and that could well bring things to a boil at The Jungle on Sunday.

Coach David Woods is adamant that it won't affect their planning even though they could well have a half-back problem.

With Paul Handforth (elbow) and Andy Kain (leg) both in need of treatment, Castleford could have a few cracks appearing in their armoury.

If so, Hornets will expose them at every opportunity.

Rochdale are being tipped as a hot favourite for the Grand Final, even at this stage of the competition, with coach Bobbie Goulding having collected together a formidable outfit that includes top signings Dave Cunliffe, Paul Owen, Radney Bowker, Lee Doran and John Braddish.

"There is no pressure on us. That's Castleford's concern. They feel they are favourites to go back into Super League, but they may well under-estimate the potential of some of the clubs in LHF League One,'' warned Goulding, whose only concern lies with the fitness of half back Sam Butterworth.

"I don't think Sam will make it, but the rest of my squad are all fit for selection,'' said a confident Goulding, whose side rattled up more than 300 points in the run up to Easter.

Star Stat: MICHAEL SHENTON of Castleford Tigers has scored tries in all nine of his club's Northern Rail and Powergen Cup matches this season as follows: 1-1-2-1-1-1-1-1-2.

BATLEY BULLDOGS v BARROW RAIDERS

PLAYMAKER Neil Roden is poised to return from a groin strain to bolster Batley's chances against newly promoted Barrow in their LHF League One encounter.

Halfback specialist Roden could well start the game if there is no further reaction this week, thus allowing Mark Toohey the opportunity to recover from the head injury he picked up against Leigh Centurions in the Powergen Challenge Cup.

"I will see how things go regarding both in the next couple of days,'' said coach Gary Thornton, who reports that props Martin McLoughlin and David Rourke are due to specialists about their respective knee injuries.

Recently signed hooker Darren Robinson could well keep his place on the bench, while winger Gary O'Reagan has returned to rugby union for a spell.

"Gary needs some game time, so we have allowed him to rejoin his former rugby union club for a short while,'' revealed Thornton.

Barrow may well have stand off Chris Archer back for the trip to Batley, but Adam Pate's thigh injury continues to be a worry for Coach Peter Roe.

Archer has recovered from his broken jaw, but Roe may well start him on the bench, alongside the returning Anthony Horton.

"This will be a tough test for the boys. Batley are a very good side on their own ground,'' said Roe, who admits he is still 'thin on the ground' for players.

HULL KR v FEATHERSTONE ROVERS

KEY forward signing Michael Smith will make his home LHF League debut for Hull KR, but fellow forwards Neil Harmon and Dale Holdstock are set to sit out the game with Featherstone.

Robins coach Harvey Howard also welcomes the return of Jason Netherton as the East Yorkshire-men face injury-hit Featherstone.

"It's a big blow to lose Neil and Dale for this game, but fortunately Jason is fit and will cover for one of the missing players,'' said Howard.

Featherstone have a ruck of injuries that include props Jim Carlton, Ian Tonks and Nathan Sykes, but Coach Gary Price has plugged some of the gaps by signing three on loan players.

Ex-Newcastle Falcons rugby union centre Stephen Jones and utility forward Jason Southwell have joined Rovers from Huddersfield Giants, while youngster Liam Finn has been released on loan by Wakefield Wildcats.

"All three will help to ease our problems and will be in the squad to face Hull KR,'' confirmed Price, who moved swiftly to bring ex-Halifax scrum half Finn as halfback cover.

With Adam Hayes, Steve Dooler and Danny Maun also struggling to shake off niggling knocks, Price may also be forced to dip into his Under 21s side for a few 'extras'.

"We are practically running on empty at the moment. The problem is that if I use any of the players who are carrying injuries I stand to lose them for weeks if they do any further damage,'' said Price.

Star Stat: FEATHERSTONE ROVERS suffered their biggest defeat when they lost 80-14 at home to Bradford Bulls in the Powergen Challenge Cup fourth round, conceding 14 tries. The previous highest score against Featherstone was in a 75-20 National League One home defeat against Leigh Centurions on 11 July 2004 when they conceded 13 tries.

OLDHAM v DONCASTER DRAGONS

TEAM skipper Ricky Bibey's one-match ban, which forces him to miss Sunday's LHF League One game with Doncaster, is the least of Oldham's problems after they failed to stave off Income Tax demands.

Bibey was earmarked for an offence in the Good Friday clash with Rochdale, along with club mate Alex Wilkinson, who will have his alleged 'biting offence' discussed at next week's Disciplinary meeting.

Back row forward Mark Roberts picked up a dead leg in the shock Powergen Challenge Cup defeat with York City Knights and is extremely doubtful, but there is better news about centre Damian Munro and prop Adam Sharples.

Both are back in full training and could bolster Coach Gary Mercer's selection plans. Jon Goddard (finger) is also hopeful of making the starting line-up.

Oldham's players have been made aware of the club's £180,000 debt problems and Chairman Christopher Hamilton has declared that they will fight all the way, while the fans have been asked to turn up in force to make a bucket collection ahead of the game.

Doncaster have second rower Craig Lawton, centre Craig Horne and stand off Graham Holdroyd back after being 'rested' for the Powergen Challenge Cup game against Workington.

But, while Coach St John Ellis was pleased to be in the next round, he was far from happy with the Dragons' performance.

"We were very sporadic and I will be drilling this into the players ahead of the Oldham game. We can't afford to ease off in any situation,'' he warned.

WHITEHAVEN v HALIFAX

HAVEN will have a 'nap hand' of players back in contention for the LHF League One tester with much-fancied Halifax.

Brett McDermott, Craig Calvert, Craig Chambers, David Fatialofa and Wesley Wilson were all left out of the mid-week re-arranged game at Gateshead.

But Coach Steve McCormack expects all five to give his squad arrangements a boost for what he believes will be 'a massive game'.

"After seeing how Halifax dealt with Castleford in the cup, this will be a real tough clash,'' confirmed McCormack.

But Halifax picked up two more injuries in the process with Ben Black and Chris Birchall joining a growing list that includes Dean Lawford, Andy Spink and Alan Hadcroft.

Winger Ricky Sherriffe is rated a non-starter, which could force Coach Anthony Farrell to call on youngster Jon Simpson to join fellow Under 21s, Jode Sherriffe and Brad Attwood on the bench.

LHF League Two.

FRIDAY

SHEFFIELD EAGLES v BLACKPOOL PANTHERS (Kick off 8.00pm)

EAGLES boss Mark Aston is upbeat ahead of his side's home game with Blackpool despite being knocked out of the Powergen Challenge Cup.

Aston will thus have to concentrate all his efforts on the League, starting with the home game against Blackpool in which prop Jack Howieson and Damien Lynch, who escaped a suspension, will play a major role.

Aston will have practically a full squad to choose from apart from Andy Rice, who has a groin injury.

The Panthers have Liam McGovern out with a thigh injury, but Liam Bretherton returns to partner Martin Gambles at halfback with Martin Roden at hooker as coach Kevin Ashcroft prepares his players.

With Samoan Willie Swann named as Blackpool's assistant to Ashcroft it leaves the experienced Steve Molloy's future at the club open to speculation.

Molloy joined Panthers after being released as player-coach at Oldham and was one of the favourites to take over the coaching role when Blackpool sacked Mark Lee after four games, but the 37-year-old ex-Great Britain prop is again at the cross roads of his career.

"Steve is still training with the club, but he will not be included in the team selection,'' confirmed Ashcroft, who has pinned his hopes on Aussie Angus Martin to lead the forwards.

SUNDAY

HUNSLET HAWKS v LONDON SKOLARS (3.30pm)

PREVIOUSLY cup-tied Gareth Naylor, along with the Shickell brothers Marc and Andy, pep up Hunslet's plans for the clash with the Skolars.

Chris Redfearn (shoulder) and Dave Gibbons (knee) are also expected to make the squad as coach Roy Sampson prepares his players for a 'tough clash'.

Hunslet could also have former Bradford Bulldogs halfback Ben Western on the books by the weekend, if they can reach an agreement with Doncaster.

"Ben has trained a couple of times with the players, but he may not be ready for a game just yet,'' revealed Sampson.

Skolars are set to hand debuts to the Aussie pairing of Brett Westwood and Ryan Wheele.

Westwood could well be drafted in at fullback and Wheele at centre, after they were named in the squad to travel, as were Nathan Gee and Stuart Singleton, who have both recovered from their respective injuries.

Meanwhile, London Broncos boss Tony Rae was on hand to give Skolars some very useful tips at training this week.

KEIGHLEY COUGARS v YORK CITY KNIGHTS

PACK leader Phil Stephenson and winger David Foster look set to miss Keighley's home LHF League Two game with York.

Both picked up leg injuries in the Cougars' Powergen Challenge Cup clash with French side Pia, while Daniel Harvey (arm) and Jon Wainhouse (knee) are also on the casualty list.

Coach Gary Moorby explained: "It's touch and go whether any of the four are fit to play this weekend,'' said Moorby, who could also be without second rower Jordan Ross (ankle) after he missed the trip to France.

York have a clean bill of health following their Powergen Challenge Cup win at Oldham apart from a scare with second rower Ian Kirke, but coach Michael Cook feels he will pass a late fitness test.

"We are a bit short on pace on the wings and that is my main concern at the moment,'' said Cook, who could well hand a start to ex-Hull back Paul Fairfield.

Chris Ross (hamstring) is still out as is fullback Matt Blaymire.

Star Stat: MATT BRAMALD of Keighley Cougars has scored tries in five successive matches as follows: 4-1-1-1-1.

SWINTON LIONS v WORKINGTON TOWN

LIONS' new signing Karl Smith could well make the bench for their home game against Workington.

Smith has been persuaded to rejoin the club by Coach Paul Kidd, who feels Karl's size and pace will be a big asset to his forwards.

"Karl is a very strong player and he said he was willing to give it another crack after playing amateur rugby last season,'' said Kidd, who is keen to uphold his side's unbeaten home record.

"Workington won't be an easy task. They are rated as one of the top contenders for promotion in our division,'' said Kidd.

Town, however, have massive injury problems which have reduced a 30-man squad down to thirteen fit players.

Prop Dean Vaughan (knee) and centre Jon Roper (dislocated elbow) are Coach Ged Stokes' latest casualties which leave Town struggling to name a side for the trip to Park Lane. With prop Ricky Wright facing an operation and Matt Tunstall and Steve Dawes already lined up for surgery Workington's woes are growing by the day.

Meanwhile, Stokes has told ex-Kells forward Dean Bragg that he no longer figures in his plans.

"It's up to the board of directors to decide whether to put him on the transfer list or to just release him,'' confirmed Stokes.

GATESHEAD THUNDER v DEWSBURY RAMS

THUNDER boss Dean Thomas will review his options ahead of the home game with Dewsbury.

Gateshead were involved in a midweek game against Whitehaven which leaves Thomas to hold back on selection, but John Tomes and Chris Bradley will come into contention again after missing the mid-week clash.

Dewsbury could be minus Alex Bretherton (ankle) and ex-Super League star Ryan Sheridan (flu), unless they make a quick recovery.

Coach Andy Kelly also has hooker Chris Woolford (shoulder) as a major worry as he shapes up to return to one of his former clubs.

"Facing Gateshead won't be easy because they have improved their staffing levels so well this season. They will be a very difficult side to beat on their own ground, that's for sure,'' said Kelly.

LHF League Three

Saturday

BRADFORD DUDLEY HILL v CARLISLE CENTURIONS (2.30pm)

EMERGING winger Jon Treco could well miss Dudley Hill's clash with Carlisle if he fails a late fitness test.

But strong running second row forward Dave Armitage (tonsillitis) is fit again, while Lee O'Connor is also added to the squad as coach Graeme Hallas keeps his side on the glory trail.

Carlisle are expected to field several new faces in their line-up, but player-coach Mike Marsden may again fall foul of a damaged ankle which caused him to miss the previous game against Underbank.

Second rower James Mackay may be forced to play through the pain barrier for a second week running after reporting a damaged arm. He will have a late fitness test.

HUDDERSFIELD UNDERBANK RANGERS v ESSEX EELS (2.30pm)

SCRUM half Richie Hawkyard is ruled out of contention after picking up a four-match ban, so Scottish Students international Bobbie Bahadori replaces him in the Underbank line-up to face Essex.

Second rower Gary Keegan is rested and James Smith takes his place in the pack, while Cleckheaton rugby union skipper Oliver Ackroyd is named on the bench.

"We are very pleased with the start the team made at Carlisle. It was nice to see some of the new combinations gelling,'' commented Coach Damon Scholes.

Essex hope to have two Dutch internationals on duty. Bevan Williamson and Jorik Moree are penciled in to play by Coach Mike Muir, while Nathan Anwyl makes way for Ben Cousens at loose forward.

SHEFFIELD HILLSBOROUGH HAWKS v BIRMINGHAM BULLDOGS (2.30pm)

FULLBACK John Birt plays his first game of the season for the Hawks, along with utility forward Chris Plume, who is on the coaching staff with Super League side Huddersfield Giants.

Bryn Evans returns at scrum half, while the Hawks are hoping to have Rob North in the front row, provided National League Two side Sheffield Eagles release him in time to play.

Birmingham make four additions to the bench with Mark Burns, James Topham, Paul Cadman and James Dickens all added to the side that lost a "thriller'' to Gateshead Storm.

Bulldogs winger Darren Birch may need a late fitness test ahead of the game.

WARRINGTON WIZARDS v ST ALBANS CENTURIONS (2.30pm)

SECOND rower Shaun Geritas is included in the Wizards line-up after a long lay-off with a damaged ankle.

Prop Matt Patterson is also included in the squad named by Coach Eddie Harris, but centre Jon Cole has work commitments, while loose forward Matt Taylor and back rower Dave Kelly may need late fitness tests.

St Albans will field a much-weakened side with winger Luke Baxter (leg), fullback Kristian Warner (hamstring), prop Roy Dube (shoulder) all ruled out.

Owen Doyle could make his debut on the wing with Craig Gunnell moving up from the bench and Joe Wilshire in the second row.

SUNDAY

GATESHEAD STORM v COVENTRY BEARS (2.30pm)

PROP forward Ryan Bradley, centre Liam Andrews and second rower Duncan Bain are all ruled out of Storm's plans for the home game against title holders Coventry.

Neil Emmerson is also ruled out with damaged ribs, but new signing Alan Robson is down to make his debut as player-coach Rob Jones lays his plans to topple the Bears.

Coventry have Scott Glendening-Stenton returning at scrum half while Stuart Lee replaces Aussie Tristan Ramsay, who picked up a shoulder injury in the opening game of the season.

Coach Troy Perkins warned: "We have got to be really switched on for the whole game this time after losing our way in the second half against Warrington.''

BRAMLEY BUFFALOES v HEMEL HEMPSTEAD STAGS (2.30pm)

RUGGED back row forward Chris Gardener misses the home game with Hemel after damaging his hand in a training accident.

His place in the Buffaloes pack goes to Neil Foulds, while John Beanland and Danny O'Connor, who missed last week's big win over Essex, are included in the squad.

Scott Pendlebury and Chris Duda make their first starts at stand off and fullback respectively, while goal kicker Paul Drake moves from stand off to centre and replaces Gavin Buckley.

Hemel will be without winger Peter Clarke, who broke his jaw in two places against Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks, so Anthony Strelitz returns to the wing after recovering from a hamstring injury.

But Coach Ken Roberts stressed: "We need to improve our game in order to get a result at Bramley.''

NORTHERN RAIL CUP

BRADFORD DUDLEY HILL v HEMEL HEMPSTEAD STAGS (2.30pm)

THIS re-arranged fixture will give Dudley Hill coach Graeme Hallas the opportunity to watch his youngsters in action against a Hemel second string.

Most of the players in Dudley's line-up will consist of Under 18s, while the Stags, who also play Bramley Buffaloes in a LHF Healthplan League Three game, expect to have all their fringe players on duty.

Stags official Derek Millis said: "It is very difficult to field two sides on the same day, but we are determined to fulfill the fixture.''

Star Stats:

LHF NATIONAL LEAGUES ONE AND TWO - ALL MATCHES

TRIES

Michael Shenton (Castleford) 11

Rikki Sheriffe (Halifax) 11

Matt Bramald (Keighley) 11

Chris Maye (Swinton) 10

James Haley (Halifax) 10

John Braddish (Rochdale) 10

Gavin Dodd (Oldham) 9

GOALS (Including drop goals)

( ) Drop goals included in total

Graham Holroyd (Doncaster) 36

Lee Marsh (Swinton) 34 (1)

Barry Eaton (Batley) 33

Francis Maloney (Dewsbury) 31

Paul Ashton (Keighley) 29 (1)

Lee Birdseye (Rochdale) 27

Mark McCully (Rochdale) 27

Darren Holt (Barrow) 27 (5)

Chris Birch (Gateshead) 27

Loz Wildbore (Hull K.R.) 26

Marty Turner (Oldham) 26

POINTS

Graham Holroyd (Doncaster) 100

Barry Eaton (Batley) 73

Lee Marsh (Swinton) 91

Mark McCully (Rochdale) 78

Francis Maloney (Dewsbury) 78

Paul Ashton (Keighley) 69

John Braddish (Rochdale) 66

Lee Birdseye (Rochdale) 62

Chris Birch (Gateshead) 62

Loz Wildbore (Hull K.R.) 60