Rovers lead race to snare Walker

Hull KR have become favourites to bring Chev Walker back into his original code of rugby. The Great Britain centre or second row left Leeds for a new career with Bath last year, but has failed to make the expected impact in rugby union. He is now known to be keen on a return to rugby league and had talks with Wigan several weeks ago.

But ambitious Rovers, preparing for next season after surviving their first campaign in Super League, have targeted Walker and indications last night were that he will be joining them. Negotiations were expected to reach a conclusion today.

The Warrington and Great Britain forward, Adrian Morley, will miss the game against his home-town club, Salford, tomorrow night after failing in his appeal against suspension.

Either Whitehaven or Leigh will keep alive Salford's hopes of a late, back-door reprieve from relegation when they meet in their National League 1 elimination play-off tonight. Neither club is likely to be admitted to Super League if they win their division's title. However, with Castleford and Widnes the hot favourites to contest the Grand Final, nobody at The Willows is holding out much hope.

Tom Hemingway, the goal-kicking half-back who has figured in Huddersfield's first team this season, has agreed a new, two-year deal with the Giants.