Hull KR still juggle with import quota

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Just 48 hours from the Humberside derby on Good Friday, mystery surrounds the eligibility of two of Hull KR's overseas players.

Rovers are due to make a statement today to clarify the position of Willie Mason and Michael Dobson after coach Justin Morgan was unable to say yesterday if they will line up against Hull FC.

Dobson was recuperating from ankle surgery when the club deregistered him to make room on their import quota for the high-profile arrival of Mason last month.

That was supposed to be only a temporary measure until the arrival of Mason's Tongan passport, but 40 days later there is apparently no sign of that document.

With Dobson now thought to be fit, Rovers are in a quandary. At the moment, he is contracted to them but not registered as a player.

He is Rovers' most important player, but re-registering him would mean taking somebody else – possibly Mason or the injured Clint Newton – off the playing roster.

New signing Martin Gleeson will make his Hull debut in the derby.

Widnes coach, Denis Betts, has sacked four players in preparation for Super League next season. Anthony Thackeray, Kirk Netherton, James Ford and Chris Gerrard have all been released with immediate effect.