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Absent Ashall

12/ 6/2008

CRAIG Ashall has been Swinton Lions’ best man in recent weeks but, to head coach Paul Kidd’s frustration, the loose forward will be concentrating on being the best man at a wedding this weekend.

Ashall’s absence will undoubtedly weaken Swinton’s side for their home League Two game with Rochdale Hornets on Sunday, June 15, kick-off 3pm.

But hooker Phil Wood, prop Gareth Hayes, winger Andy Saywell and centre Dean Gorton have all been given the all clear to return to action after shaking off their respective sickness bug, back strain, dead leg and broken wrist.

Wood is a certain starter but, with Swinton having won their last two games, Kidd is challenging the other three players to prove that they deserve a recall out on the training pitch.

Kidd said: "It is a blow to be without Craig Ashall this weekend. He has arguably been our best player over the last few weeks but he cleared it with me to have this weekend off to be the best man at a wedding when he signed for us.

"Bruce Johnson picked up a dead leg injury in our win against Workington on Sunday but I think that he will be okay for the Rochdale game.

"And three or four players who missed the Workington game will be available again. They will have to make a big impression in training this week to get into the team though as we have been doing well lately.

"The aim now is to continue the form that we showed against Workington but Rochdale are also on a good run of form. They have not been beaten since Darren Shaw replaced Bobbie Goulding as their head coach.

"We have played two very close games with Rochdale this season, losing one and winning one.

"They have six or seven ex-Swinton players so they will have no shortage of motivation. It is a derby game and there will be a lot of emotion involved. But emotion does not win games."

The Swinton players certain to miss the game through injury are Rick Jones (ankle), Adam Bibey (knee), Chris Hull (hernia), Wayne English (broken jaw), Chris Morley (knee) and Barry Hamilton (knee).