Eagles boss Aston only looking forward after disappointing defeat at Batley

Following their first defeat of the 2016 campaign at Batley last weekend, the Eagles return to home soil at Bawtry Road looking to rediscover the formula that swept aside the likes of Workington Town and Halifax.

Aston confirmed that there was a honest and frank discussion with his troops during the week, and he is now looking for a reaction against the newly-promoted Lions.

“The lads were disappointed after last weekend, we had a meeting and I expressed my thoughts at the performance,” he said.

“We had a good honest chat, we cleared the air and we move onto Friday night now looking for a positive response.”

The Eagles received a boost during the week after trialist Rhys Jacks agreed a deal until the end of the season, and he looks set to make his Sheffield bow this evening.

Aston will be without PNG winger Garry Lo following a dislocated shoulder in the defeat at Batley, and he awaits news on whether the winger will have to go under the surgeon’s knife.

His likely replacement is Rob Worrincy after the Eagles chief revealed there was no injury behind his non-selection last weekend.

“We are waiting now for news from the surgeon to see whether he (Lo) needs an operation, so he will be seeing the specialist as soon as possible,” Aston confirmed.

“There was no injury to Rob Worrincy, we just wanted to see where Garry Lo was at against Batley. Rob wasn’t the only one. Duane Straugheir missed out as well because we wanted to get Steven Thorpe back in. They were no problems with Rob and Duane.”

John Duffy’s Swinton arrive at the Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park having lost their opening three games of the season, but Aston insists their performances haven’t been reflected in their results. He continued:

“Swinton can play there is no doubt. They play a brand of football that is attractive and have a good group of young players. They are playing well, they were unlucky against Dewsbury and they put in a big performance against London.

“We need to get back to our standard that we set over the first two weeks, and if we do that then hopefully we will get the performance that we need.”