Co-operative Championship Preview

York City Knights v Halifax (Sky Sports 2, 7.30pm)

Thursday 18 August
Chris Thorman could make a surprise return for York’s crucial Co-operative Championship clash with Halifax in the midweek Sky Sports game.

The former Huddersfield, Parramatta and Hull FC ace has been out with a broken thumb, but coach Dave Woods revealed: “Chris trained on Tuesday and came through OK. We'll make a final decision on Thursday.”

York go into the Halifax game second bottom of the Championship on 16 points, level with Hunslet and two points behind Dewsbury. All three trams have two games to play with York’s last game at the Eagles on Sunday 4 September. A win for Halifax will put them three points ahead of the Eagles but with only one game to play.

Woods, who has been further boosted by the news that Kristian Brining has agreed a new two-year deal with the club, wants his squad to learn the lessons from their recent 76-38 defeat against Halifax.

Woods said: “Halifax embarrassed us at their place, and we were also embarrassed the last time we were on Sky Sports. We’ve got two games left, and we need to take something out of this game. We need to compete with them early on, and then lift that level and kick on as the game progresses.”

Fax coach Damian Ball will be hoping for good news on a string of injuries that decimated his squad for last week’s 26-24 triumph over Widnes.

Jim Gannon, Sam Barlow, Sean Penkywicz and Jon Goddard were all missing for the Vikings match.

Last week's win means Halifax are sure of a place in the Co-operative Championship play-offs, but they could still finish as high as fourth if other results go in their favour

Sunday August 14

Co-operative Championship

Dewsbury Rams v Hunslet Hawks (3.00pm)

Dewsbury coach Warren Jowitt has likened the relegation battle with Hunslet to a Grand Final.

Jowitt said: “It’s a big game. It's massive for both teams, and arguably it’s like a final for us. We’ve got a fully fit squad to pick from, and that gives us a bit of a selection headache, but that's a good position to be in.”

Rams lost 16-8 against Toulouse last week, and Jowitt has highlighted where he expects improvements. He said: “Our forwards went really well. They paved the way and dominated the game, but our half backs had a bad day at the office.”

Stuart Kain, Steve Dooler and Neil Lowe are all in contention for Hunslet, although David March is expected to miss the rest of the season.

Hawks’ coach Paul March said: “We’ve got a bit of competition in the squad, but I want to find a consistent team to keep performing well and pick up some points. I might not change anything, it depends how we go in training.”

He added: “Myself and the team know this is a massive game. With relegation battles comes pressure. Last year we had a different kind of pressure, but we can't go away from what we've been trying to do all year.”

Leigh Centurions v York City Knights (3.00pm)

Adam Higson and Sam Hopkins could feature for Leigh as the Centurions look to rotate their squad against York.

Leigh assistant coach Paul Rowley said: “We may change a couple of things around this week. Against Widnes last week we were a bit loose in the first half with the ball in hand, but we defended very well. It’s coming to the end of the season and our defence is going OK, which is a good sign.”

York could be unchanged as they look to secure a win that would keep them out of the relegation places for another week at least.

Knights lost 44-16 against Featherstone last week, but coach Dave Woods saw enough to be pleased. He said: “Our effort and commitment was really good, and we'll probably run with the same squad.”

Co-operative Championship One

Doncaster v Whitehaven (3.00pm)

Coach Tony Miller will assess Dean Colton later in the week before making any decision whether to include the Dons winger following a recent groin problem.

Kyle Kesik and Craig Robinson are expected to return, but Jamie Bovill (groin) is believed to be struggling.

Whitehaven's Lewis Palfrey has an outside chance of playing on Sunday after making positive progress from a recent elbow injury.

Haven coach David Seeds said: “The only concern is Martin Wilson – he's struggling with a heel injury – but other than that we're trying to fit 23 or 24 guys into 17 shirts.”

On Doncaster, he added: “They're a big, physical and enthusiastic side. There willl probably be a reaction from their Keighley game, and we're expecting maybe the toughest game of the season so far.”

Gateshead Thunder v London Skolars (2.00pm)

Rochdale Hornets v Oldham (3.00pm)

Swinton Lions v South Wales Scorpions (3.00pm)

Workington Town v Keighley Cougars (3.00pm)