WORKINGTON Town won’t get any early indication of the side they will face at Featherstone in Sunday’s Challenge Cup-tie because Rovers play tonight.

Loan-signing Ben Kaye makes his Featherstone debut in this evening's re-arranged Northern Rail Cup game against Hunslet Hawks at South Leeds Stadium.

The 21-year-old hooker (pictured), who is a product of the Churwell Chiefs amateur club in Leeds, has joined Rovers on a month's loan from Super Leaguers Harlequins and links up again with Featherstone's head coach Daryl Powell.

Powell said: "I signed Ben as a young player when I was at Leeds. He's a good, high quality kid and he'll add depth at nine and bring competition for places.

"I am delighted to have him on board and we'll see where it takes us at the end of the month."

Kaye is in a strong Featherstone team that also includes Papua New Guinea pair Jessie Joe Parker and Lasen Marabe.

Sam Smeaton will have a late fitness test on a hip injury. Liam Welham stands by to replace him if he is ruled out.

Featherstone's line-up is: Hardaker; Marabe, Allan, Saxton, Smeaton; Parker, Dobek; Morrison, Kaye, Sheriffe, Dale, Manning, Lee. Substitutes from: Divorty, Tonks, Williamson, Carr, Welham.

Although Rovers cannot realistically qualify for the Northern Rail Cup knock-out stages, Powell is looking for a good performance tonight and another one in Sunday's Carnegie Challenge Cup third round tie against Workington at Bigfellas Stadium (3pm).

He said: "You don't go into any game looking to under-perform or get beaten. We are putting a good team out at Hunslet.

"Sunday's game will be another challenge for us. It's going to be of high importance to get a good display on Sunday and one on Thursday.

"We'll have a number of players who won't be playing on Thursday and they'll add significant energy to us this weekend. It's an important game against Workington and it's all about getting a good run in the Challenge Cup.

"Realistically, it is difficult to reach the final but you never know what can happen in cup competitions and we've just got to keep improving."

Rovers will be checking on Jonny Grayshon who has a slight groin strain.
Tim Spears had a minor knee operation yesterday and should be back in a couple of weeks.

Powell was pleased with the defensive displays in recent victories over Rochdale and Batley.
He said: "I think it was particularly pleasing when we were playing two games in one week that we were able to restrict both teams to 10 points. It's not just the way we are defending - it's the attitude we are showing in defence that's really pleasing.

"When we've come under significant pressure we are not folding and that's been a big improvement in us this year.

"There's a lot of improvement still to be made both with and without the ball but the signs in the last two games are promising."

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