Sheffield Eagles hampered by sickness bug

Eagles make the second visit to Craven Park in three weeks, with director Mark Aston waiting for the green light to include Reece Dean and Liam Johnson in his 19 man squad. Johnson, on loan from Super League side Huddersfield Giants, has started the last two games, whilst Dean, who joined last week for a month from Toronto Wolfpack, made his debut in last weekend’s defeat against Featherstone.

With Aston not expecting any players from dual-registration partners Leigh, Eagles are in the hands of the parent clubs as Aston looks to turn the tables following defeat earlier in the month.

“We are waiting for confirmation, but hopefully both will be available for us,” he said. “Reece did well in his first game and I like the look of Liam. He is a good kid who wants to learn and play. He got caught out a little last week but I’m sure he can get back to where he was a week before – he was one of our best players.

“With it being the Challenge Cup, Leigh won’t want anyone cup tied because they will have designs on doing well in the competition.”

Aston, who welcomed back second-rower Mark Mexico last weekend following suspension, confirmed that Jordan Cox is getting closer to fitness, but he is sweating over one or two who have succumbed to a sickness bug.

“We have managed to get one or two coming back,” he said. “Jordan Cox and Mark Mexico are back for us but we have one or two who have been suffering with a bug. Elliot Minchella is one of those who is sick at the moment but we are hopeful that everyone is fit for the weekend.

“We showed glimpses of good play against Featherstone last weekend. For 30 minutes or so we were in control of the game but we didn’t get the bounce of the ball, and individual errors resulted in tries which cost us dearly. I am really looking forward to Sunday, there is no pressure on us, hopefully we can go there and put a shock on the board.”