Sheffield Eagles must succeed without dual registered Leigh Centurions

After a succession of injuries, the Centurions look set to make full use of their squad which means Eagles will be without Aussie second-rower Lachlan Burr for the first time this season.

Eagles need to hit back after Sunday’s defeat to Halifax, but it looks likely they will be without the assistance of their dual-registration partners.

Aston has therefore set his current crop the challenge of taking the opportunity presented, with new loan signing Liam Johnson in line to make his debut.

“As it stands we probably won’t get a great deal from Leigh this week because they have picked up another couple of injuries,” Aston said.

“It is all hands on deck for us, and the boys who are here will have to stand up this weekend. If we want to be successful and be a consistent team, then these are the guys who will have to do it. That’s their challenge. I spoke last week about how proud I was for their performance against Toulouse, and then last weekend I spoke about how disappointed I was with the display against Halifax. We didn’t compete last weekend. It came nowhere near the performance of the week before.”

Burr has been a major positive for Aston this season, but his inclusion for Leigh looks inevitable at some point after making their squad for the recent game with Leeds.

Johnson was omitted from the 17 last weekend, but he has put himself in the frame for inclusion after a full week on the training ground, whilst young hooker Greg Burns is also expected to be available.

“Greg Burns will be back fit,” Aston confirmed.

“Liam Johnson has come in and he has trained with us last week, and he has trained with us all this week as well. He’ll get an opportunity. Some of the other guys will have to stand up now and that’s the thing about not having one or two - it gives others an opportunity.”