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Lions to sign League One trio

26/ 6/2008

SWINTON Lions rugby league club coach Paul Kidd was on the verge of signing three League One players as the Advertiser went to press last night, Wednesday, June 26.

And he insists that the centre, winger and back rower will ‘significantly improve’ his squad.

Kidd, who has decided to act over concerns about his side’s recent form with them having won just two of their last eight games to drop out of the League Two play-off places, said: "I am really excited about the three signings. They will all significantly improve the squad.

"I don’t want to name the players in case there are any late snags that cause the deals to fall through. That would be unfair on the players and their clubs.

"But I am very confident of having all three signed and available for our game at second-placed Barrow this Saturday (June 28, kick-off 6.30pm)."

Unbeaten Barrow have exactly twice as many points on the board as eighth-placed Swinton. And Kidd admits that his team will go into the game as massive underdogs.

He said: "Barrow have got a lot of quality in their side but if we can build on our performance at Gateshead last weekend we could upset them. We may have lost the Gateshead game but I was much happier with the effort and the commitment that the players showed."

The Lions, who play their home games at Sedgley Park, will welcome back prop Adam Bibey from a knee injury this week and full back Wayne English is hoping to be given the all clear to return from a lengthy broken jaw lay-off. Rick Jones (ankle), Chris Hull (hernia), Barry Hamilton (knee) and Chris Morley (knee) are all still sidelined. And Swinton have confirmed that young prop Chris Tyrer needs a second operation after breaking his leg and dislocating and fracturing his ankle in a recent home defeat to Rochdale.

Tyrer had pins inserted during an operation last Monday. And he will undergo another operation once the pins have been removed in five weeks’ time.

He is certain to be out of action for the remainder of the season.

l Swinton’s home league game with Doncaster has been switched from Sunday, July 6, kick-off 3pm, to Wednesday, July 9, kick-off 8pm, due to the Knights’ involvement in the Northern Rail Cup final.