French leave aids Paris

Both Workington Town and Paris St-Germain have had boosts for the match tomorrow that could decide who will be relegated from Super League, writes Dave Hadfield.

Workington, two points adrift at the bottom, are the more desperate for the win and are able to give a debut to the former Brisbane Broncos and Penrith full-back, Butch Fatnowna.

Paris can make themselves virtually safe by winning, and are relieved to have another Australian, the creative forward Ian Russell, fit for action.

Another bonus for coach John Kear is that three players called up for national service in the French army last week have all been allowed on leave - Laurent Lucchese, Freddie Banquet and Fabien Devecchi are all in the squad and likely to play.

London Broncos, who are at home to Sheffield Eagles in today's only game, are without their injured captain, Terry Matterson. The likely solution is to move Peter Gill from stand-off to his more normal position in the pack for this meeting of two clubs whose hopes of a top four finish have faded.

Leeds' side to play Oldham tomorrow is shrouded in uncertainty, with Kevin Iro and Francis Cummins facing fitness tests and four other players - Neil Harmon, Harvey Howard, Lee Maher and Phil Hassan - all at the end of their contracts and not yet agreeing new deals.

The Australian centre, Andrew Patmore, is out of Oldham's side and may now need an operation on a torn groin muscle.

Warrington will be without captain Paul Cullen at Halifax, after a two- match suspension for a reckless challenge on Wigan's Jason Robinson last week.

Bramley forward Dean Hall has failed in his appeal against a 15-month ban for using his elbow to the head of an opponent. The appeals tribunal ruled yesterday that the suspension, one of the longest ever imposed in Britain, was justified by the player's bad disciplinary record.