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Centre lined up

19/ 6/2008

PAUL Kidd is homing in on a League One centre as he looks to inject some extra quality into his struggling Swinton Lions side.

The Lions slipped out of the League Two play-off places with a crushing 56-22 defeat to Rochdale at the weekend.

And their misery was capped off by young prop Chris Tyrer suffering a horrific and season ending injury during the game – breaking his leg and dislocating and fracturing his ankle.

Kidd said: "I am trying to bring in a League One centre and I am hopeful of getting him before we play Gateshead at the weekend. Centre is a position we need to strengthen. But we are okay in the prop forward department so there are no big dramas team wise with Tyrer getting injured.

"But it is terrible news for the player himself. It is a really nasty one but his operation on Monday went well and we will do everything we can to support him and get him back playing again as soon as possible."

Swinton visit the top two teams in the league over the next two weeks – starting with a trip to leaders Gateshead on Sunday, June 22, kick-off 3pm.

Kidd said: "We couldn’t ask for a better challenge coming off a poor result and poor performance against Rochdale.

"Gateshead are the best side in the division. They have won their last eight games and if we can do well against them it would give us a big lift. I will be making changes because some players let themselves and the club down against Rochdale. And I am certainly looking for a positive reaction from that defeat."

Gareth Hayes and Andy Saywell are back in contention for the Gateshead game having recovered from their respective back strain and dead leg.

Craig Ashall will return to the fold after missing the Rochdale defeat to be the best man at a wedding and Kidd is confident that Martin Moana and Rob Line will be passed fit to face Gateshead having picked up minor back and heel injuries respectively at the weekend.

Meanwhile, Kidd says there is not an ounce of truth in media reports linking Liam McGovern with a move to Leigh.