SALFORD CITY REDS v BATLEY BULLDOGS

COMPLACENCY isn't a word used often by Salford's coach Karl Harrison, but he may well bring it into his vocabulary ahead of Sunday's Arriva Trains Cup semi-final clash with Batley Bulldogs.

The City Reds boss is understandably on a high himself after the massive 76-4 beating of Dewsbury Rams last week, but believes that Batley will be a different kettle of fish.

"I live in that area and know what the club and the fans will expect from the Bulldogs. My younger brother Paul is part of their squad system and I expect he will want to play against us, while their coach Paul Storey has a very good reputation in the game.

"But that was a great result against Dewsbury ahead of the semi-final and sets the boys up for the game against Batley.

"But both Whitehaven and in particular Featherstone Rovers have shown in recent weeks that we can't go into any game with a complacent attitude.

"As far as Batley go they have proved in the past that they can rise to the occasion and I expect them to do so against us. They are a very dogged side and have some useful players, but I feel we can deal with them on the day.

"Barry Eaton is a good scrum half and Dave Gibbons is a tough player, but I don't think they as creative as Glen Tomlinson and Dean Lawford were last season. They had a massive effect on Batley's game plan,'' said Harrison, whose only problem is who will replace Andy Gorski in his squad of 17.

Gorski broke a thumb in the win over Dewsbury and will be out of action for at least five weeks, according to Harrison.

"I can bring in either Mike Platt, Lee Marsh or Stuart Littler as a replacement,'' pointed out Harrison, who looks set to leave Aussie trialist Mick Berne as wing partner to Andy Kirk.

"Mick went okay last week and possibly deserves to keep his place in the side,'' said Harrison.

With ex-St Helens and Warrington Wolves winger Alan Hunte in splendid form following his nap hand of tries; a big mobile pack and halfbacks Cliff Beverley and Gavin Clinch to dictate the run of play, Salford should have the edge on the day.

As for Batley, they will have to clear up a number of injuries before coach Storey can name his line-up.

Prop Craig Booth, Mark Toohey, Leon Williamson, Paul Harrison, Will Cartledge and Joe Naidole are all in need of treatment.

But that is not causing Bulldogs boss Storey too much concern.

"We've got a few bumps and bruises to sort out, but I don't anticipate any of them to interfere with team selection,'' he said.

Prop Ryan McDonald, on loan from Widnes Vikings, is however cup-tied, while Storey could well spring a surprise by switching under 21s prospect Toohey to standoff and have Dave Gibbons on the bench. Each time Toohey has played at halfback for Batley in the past, they have run up a big score line.

"Obviously this will be a big game for us, but hopefully we can perform better than we did in the league a couple of months ago. That was only our second match of the new league season and we were still sorting out our best line-up,'' said Storey, who should have props Joe Berry and Steve Hill ready for action this week.

Berry missed the game against his former club Rochdale because of a clause in his signing on contract, while Hill has been fighting off an injury to his neck and shoulders caused in the game against Leigh.

"We shall prepare for this game as we always do by concentrating on the basics. I have been disappointed about the way we have let things slide this season because we seem to have been putting too much ball to ground and we can't afford to do that.

"But this is a good chance for the players to rise to the occasion and put the record straight. It would be lovely to get to the final,'' said Storey.

LEIGH CENTURIONS v WHITEHAVEN

LEIGH boss Paul Terzis is preparing his forces to beat off the challenge from Cumbrians Whitehaven in their semi-final clash and feels the newly named Coliseum stadium could prove impregnable.

They have made their Hilton Park ground a formidable fortress and as a result fear no one, according to Terzis.

"Whitehaven are a top side and this could be a close encounter, but it doesn't matter if we only win by a point.

"I know that Whitehaven are playing well at the moment and between us we have the two best defences in the division. But this game is all about winning and we want to win every match,'' said Terzis.

With only John Duffy to worry about on the injury front and Dale Cardoza out of the equation with a three-match suspension, Terzis mat well go with the side that whipped Doncaster Dragons last week. "I think there could be a couple of changes to the squad,'' forecast Terzis, who keeps his cards close to his chest on team selection these days.

Neil Turley will be a definite starter following his 31-point haul last week, but Terzis feels he may not have the same impact. "It's always the same when a player comes back off a long injury lay-off. They have a good first game and then it catches up with them for a few weeks afterwards. I hope that isn't the case with Neil, but we have got to expect the unexpected,'' said Terzis.

Leigh have built up a big, mobile set of forwards to compliment a fast back line. Top signings Sonny Nickle, Sean Richardson, Bryan Henare and Paul Rowley make up the nucleus of the forward thrust, while Terzis can switch his backs round to suit most occasions.

"This will be a big day for the home fans and a big occasion for the Whitehaven followers too. We have plenty of off-the-field activities planned for the fans and the game itself will be top class entertainment,'' he said.

Whitehaven have yet to reach a final of any sort, but coach Steve McCormack is confident that this could be time.

"Leigh are obviously a top side and must be favourites to go through to the final. This will be a big ask for the Whitehaven players, but we had a very good win against Featherstone last week, when our defence was excellent.

"Oldham beat Leigh a couple of weeks ago and that was a kick up the backside for them, so I know they will want to make up for it by beating us. But we will concentrate on our own game,'' said McCormack, whose big time experience at Salford has placed him in good stead since he took over from Paul Cullen last year.

With no injuries from last week's victory and second row forward Spencer Miller on the brink of returning from a short lay-off, Whitehaven expect to name from strength.

Ex-Barrow scrum half Darren Holt has now settled in alongside Leroy Joe to make a strong halfback partnership, while Whitehaven's pack is well-drilled in the art of giving little away defensively.

Hooker Marc Jackson, sent off against Featherstone last week, will not appear before the disciplinary committee until after the game, so he can offer a major threat too.

"We will have at least nine coach loads of fans travelling down to Leigh and that should give the players a big boost,'' said McCormack.

With Leigh having won the Easter Monday clash 19-12, it should give them the edge, but nothing is definite until it's written in stone!

NATIONAL LEAGUE TWO

LONDON SKOLARS v SWINTON LIONS

FRUSTRATION is creeping into the London Skolars' camp as they still seek their first win of the National League Two season.

Coach Mark Croston, disappointed at seeing winning opportunities drift by, could well make further changes for their re-arranged home game with Swinton Lions on Sunday.

"We keep taking steps forward, but decisions seem to go against us and that is frustrating,'' said Croston, who will check on the fitness of Rubert Jonker before naming his side.

Meanwhile, the Lions welcome back Chris Roe from injury, but coach Peter Roe will have to wait on scrum-half Chris Hough's recovery from a knee injury and Kris Tassell's bout of flu before he can select his squad to travel.

Hooker Rob Gallagher is Swinton's only long-term injury with a broken jaw, but Kris Smith's jarred knee is proving slow to respond to treatment, consequently he is not expected to be in Roe's plans for at least another two weeks.

"We suffered a bad defeat at York last week and that was very disappointing. I trust we will do better against London Skolars. We need to get back onto the winning track,'' said Roe.