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Three new injuries

19/ 7/2007

SWINTON coach Paul Kidd is sweating over three fresh injury concerns in the build-up to the Lions' League Two basement battle at Gateshead on Saturday, July 21, kick-off 3pm.

Marlon Billy (dead leg), Bruce Johnson (groin) and Rob Line (ankle and foot) picked up knocks in Swinton's narrow defeat to Celtic Crusaders at the weekend. And Kidd is praying that they will all recover in time to line up against Gateshead.

He said: "Rob Line is the biggest doubt of the three. He took a bad knock and has a lot of swelling around his foot and ankle."

Steve McCurrie is expected to make his long-awaited return to first team duty on Saturday having finally recovered from a knee injury.

David Bates, who has missed Swinton's last two games after a car crash left him suffering from whiplash, is also in line for a recall.

But Dave Ashton (back), Mark Brocklehurst (knee) and Danny Aboushakra (shoulder) are all expected to remain on the sidelines, though they are all nearing a return to action.

New half back signing Jay Duffy is said to have 'a good chance' of making his Lions debut.

Kidd said: "It is great to have Steve McCurrie available again. He has a lot of experience, which you need in the front row, and he is a very clever player. He is a ready-made replacement for Richard Marshall, who retired last week.

"We beat Gateshead quite comfortably at home earlier in the season but they have improved a lot since then.

"They have sized up their pack and brought in some good players from abroad and on loan from Castleford.

"They can be dangerous opponents if you allow them to be but if we continue the form we have shown in the last three games we will have a great chance of beating them."

THE Lions have announced that they will hold rugby league training sessions for anyone aged between seven and 17 during the summer holidays.

Sessions will be held at the Valley Community Centre between 4pm and 6pm on Mondays starting this week. Call John for more details on: 07720 028965.