Sykes ban too lenient, says McDermott

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Harlequins coach Brian McDermott has lashed out at the leniency of the two-match ban given to Bradford's Paul Sykes for a spear tackle against his side.

Sykes was suspended this week after being found guilty of a dangerous throw on Oliver Wilkes at The Stoop last Friday, but McDermott does not believe that the punishment fits the crime. Sykes was also fined £300 after the tribunal heard that he had been warned for a similar offence in March.

"Whoever sat on that disciplinary hearing clearly does not understand what is and what is not dangerous in the modern game," he said.

"Do we really have to wait until someone is intentionally put in a wheelchair before we stop classifying spear tackles as on a par with a mistimed head-high challenge or two men letting their emotions spill over into a punch-up?"

The Catalan Dragons have suspended Dimitri Pelo and Setaimata Sa while they investigate an alleged breach of club discipline.

The pair were due to return from injury for the game against Crusaders on Saturday. They were two of the players arrested, but not charged, for affray in Leeds in February, but the club said this was an unrelated matter.

Wigan are hopeful Cameron Phelps will play again soon, after finding that the Australian did not damage his knee as badly as first feared at the weekend. Karl Pryce replaces him in the squad to face Warrington tomorrow night.

Hull and Hull KR are heading for a capacity sell-out for their derby at the KC Stadium tonight.

Leeds have Danny Buderus, Ali Lauitiiti and Kylie Leuluai fit to face Huddersfield tomorrow.