London pair face police inquiry over night-club incident

The London Broncos are waiting to hear whether two of their players are to be charged after being arrested following an incident with doormen at a night-club. Brendan Magnus and Justin Dooley both spent a night in the cells after the incident and could be charged with actual bodily harm.

"They are innocent until proved guilty," said the club's chief executive, Tony Rea. "They were away from the club, but they still have a responsibility. There is nothing in the character of the guys to suggest that this would be in their nature, but it is not the sort of thing we can put up with."

The Broncos, still settling in at Charlton, are anxious to maintain a positive image, but are shelving any disciplinary action of their own until the police inquiry is complete. "This is potentially a serious matter, but we do not have a general problem at the club," Rea said.

Magnus is due to return to Australia for surgery on a knee injury that has already ended his season prematurely, but Dooley, another Australian, is in the team to play St Helens at The Valley tonight. Greg Fleming and John Timu are out injured, with the former Bradford centre, Kevin Crouthers, making his debut and Brett Warton returning.

St Helens will be without Keiron Cunningham and Paul Wellens, with several other players facing fitness tests. They have joined Warrington in showing an interest in Wigan's utility back, Phil Jones, who could give them some much-needed depth.

In tonight's other match, Bradford will be without Tevita Vaikona, Michael Withers and Bernard Dwyer against an unchanged Halifax, who have parted company with their assistant coach, Martin Hall, but Stuart Fielden will be fit to face his home-town club.

Castleford have signed their captain, Adrian Vowles, on an extended contract that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2001 season. "He has been a great club man, a great player and a great leader," his coach, Stuart Raper, said.

Cas have released Danny Arnold after a month's loan from Huddersfield-Sheffield, while their former player, Barrie-Jon Mather, will rejoin them next Monday from Sale, who are talking to Wigan's Jason Robinson about a move if he switches to rugby union.

Huddersfield-Sheffield have enlisted the fitness guru, Rudi Meir, to try to lift the performances of Super League's bottom club. The Giants have won just one game this season and Meir, an Australian who has worked with Salford, Leeds, Wigan and London, may join them on a short-term contract. "We're concerned with the defensive side of our play and Rudi has a particular amount of experience and success in this area," John Kear, their coach, said.