Sheffield Eagles: Duane Straugheir to return from injury

Sheffield Eagles will have Duane Straugheir available for the first time this season ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Halifax.

The long serving ace has missed the opening two rounds of the Kingstone Press Championship following a head injury, but has been given the green light to play ahead of the trip to The Shay this weekend.

The 27-year-old had been close to a return last weekend, but failed to shake off an injury which was sustained in a pre-season outing against Wakefield.

Whilst Straugheir has been a mainstay for the Eagles for a number of years, director of rugby Mark Aston has confirmed that his current vice-captain faces a real fight to break into the 17, after his side produced a stunning display to defeat Toulouse last weekend at Belle Vue.

“We thought he was very close last week but he had a setback on the Tuesday when he got a bit dizzy, so we decided to leave him out,” Aston told The Star.

“He is busting a gut to get back into the side now, and I can say that he will be 100 per cent fit for this week.

“The question is, does he get in? That is the question that he needs to answer through his training this week.

“He has been around us for a long time now, he is our Mr. Reliable. He has trained well in the earlier part of the week, and I am sure he will be the same at the end of the week.

“That means his hat is very much in the ring for selection.”

The Eagles will also be looking to include new loan signing Liam Johnson, who could be in line for a debut after completing his switch from Super League side Huddersfield Giants.

Aston is also waiting on news from Leigh Centurions, who are again expected to supply players as the Eagles go in search of back-to-back Championship victories.

While prop forward Mark Mexico remains on the sidelines as he serves the second of his four match suspension following an incident on the opening day of the campaign against Oldham.

“I’ve already said to the likes of Mark Mexico, who is banned for three more games, to use the break as another pre-season,” Aston added.

“It has been the same when Duane was out. These guys have to get back into this team and it won’t be easy.”