Rugby League: Carroll to stay with Broncos

THE LONDON Broncos believe that they have averted the threat of Manly clawing back Mark Carroll, the Australian Test prop who joined them this winter, writes Dave Hadfield.

Carroll's former club have struggled without his authority in the pack since the start of the new Australian season and have approached him about going home - just a few weeks into his three-year contract with the Broncos.

"Mark is staying with us," insisted the London chief executive, Tony Rea. "He went through a period of homesickness, but we had lunch yesterday and we are both ecstatic about the prospects for this club.

"We spoke about a couple of things that would help his wife to settle in and Mark is now very focused on London Broncos."

Carroll said: "I can't deny that Manly contacted me, but there was no way the Broncos were going to release me. I'm just going to concentrate now on playing some good football and getting Broncos where they should be."

He may, however, miss the Broncos' next match at Hull with a toe injury. The Broncos' coach, Tony Currie, will definitely be absent from that Good Friday fixture, having returned to Australia for a few days because of a family illness. The club captain, Terry Matterson, will take charge of preparations for the match.

Another former Manly forward, Grant Doorey, is looking for a new club in England after he finishes a successful stint with Villeneuve in France. Doorey previously played for Keighley.

Scott Naylor, the Salford centre, has been cleared of any offence in an incident placed on report during the match against St Helens on Sunday, but Saints' forward Paul Davidson must answer charges tomorrow of using his elbow in the same match - his debut for the club.

The Wigan second row, Simon Haughton, has not seriously damaged his shoulder, but will miss the Good Friday game against Saints. Mick Cassidy replaces him, with Terry O'Connor starting in place Cowie and Mark Bell returning after a hamstring injury for Lee Gilmour.