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Hawkyard injury fear

27/ 3/2008

SWINTON Lions coach Paul Kidd is sweating over an ankle injury to his star close season signing.

Scotland international half back Richie Hawkyard, who is pictured below, picked up an ankle injury in the Lions’ 21-12 defeat at Keighley on Easter Monday.

Kidd was waiting to find out the extent of the injury as the Advertiser went to press last night, Wednesday, March 26.

But he admitted that Hawkyard is a major doubt for the Lions’ trip to League Two table-toppers Doncaster Knights on Sunday, March 30, kick-off 3pm.

Kidd said: "It would be a huge blow if Richie’s injury turns out to be a serious one as he is a key player for us. We will just have to wait and see how it pans out."

Winger Marlon Billy (knee) and centres Chris Hull (leg) and Gary Sykes (flu) were all forced to miss the Keighley game but the trio will be back on board for Sunday’s trip to the Keepmoat Stadium.

Kidd is also hoping to have Rick Jones available. The prop forward has diabetes and is awaiting clearance from Sport England to use the drugs that he requires.

Stand off or loose forward Craig Ashall is expected to remain on the sidelines for at least another three weeks with an ankle injury while second rower Chris Morley will soon undergo knee surgery and may not play again this season.

Kidd said: "Doncaster are a very good team. They have kicked off their league campaign with two straight wins and they have some very skilful players.

"They can obviously score points looking at their results over Easter.

"But I am confident that we can go there and compete with them.

"We need to improve on our defending though. We are conceding too many tries and we are conceding too many penalties as well. That is making us do a lot more defending than we should be doing.

"Those are the things that we have been working on in training this week."

Doncaster, who are coached by rugby league legend Ellery Hanley, thrashed London Skolars 56-0 and Blackpool Panthers 54-12 in their first two league fixtures while Swinton beat Blackpool 44-30 before losing at Keighley.

Kidd said: "We have made a mixed start to the season. We have shown glimpses of what we can do but we need to start performing for the full 80 minutes."