CLAYTON welcome neighbours Queensbury to Lidget Green for a Pennine Central Division Two encounter that is always eagerly anticipated by both clubs.

The keen rivals are keeping their cards close to their chests as they seek to get back to winning ways after last week’s defeats.

Clayton, who lost narrowly at Beeston Broncos, welcome free-scoring centre Simon Giles back into the squad and player coach Scott Pendlebury returns to the bench in order to lend his vast experience to the cause.

Scrum half Jonny Norman, who starred for Queensbury last term, will have a fitness test on a pulled hamstring.

Queensbury also have a number of problems with wingman Stuart Rubery and full back Chris Hanson doubtful after collecting leg injuries in a ferocious game against leaders Woodhouse.

The versatile Ste Montgomery makes a return from his long injury lay-off while Stephen Nagy and Kieron Baker are also in competition for a jersey.

Birkenshaw Bluedogs will be confident of seeing off visitors Beeston Broncos following their first success of the campaign last week when they won at Wortley Dragons.

Birky, who moved off bottom spot, will be without the services of wingman Damien Smith and prop Ben Mather who are on Yorkshire duty but they still have the scoring ability of Jarred Toulson and Gary Procter to lead their challenge.

Wyke coach Ian Wormald is relishing the trip to Sharlston Rovers in the opening round of the BARLA Bartlett’s Yorkshire Cup. The former West Bowling favourite has been on the wrong end of a number of narrow defeats at the hands of the Wakefield outfit in the National Conference over the years but the Rovers have fallen from grace and are no longer the mighty side that carried all before them. They are still however in the Pennine Championship top flight leaving the black and whites a colossal task to go through. Utility backs Ryan Exley and Sam Kittsen are unavailable but hooker Scott Watson plus wingmen Cameron Foster and Danny Worby make the squad. Former Cowling prop forward Marc Goodwin makes his first appearance this term.