Sheridan place in danger to Burrow

The Leeds coach, Daryl Powell, is pondering who should play scrum-half in the Challenge Cup-tie at Bradford on Saturday.

The Great Britain international, Ryan Sheridan, is still regarded as the club's first choice, but the 19-year-old Rob Burrow has been outstanding in pre-season games. "That's obviously the burning question in our team, whether Rob is good enough to start in front of Ryan,'' Powell said. "His pace is going to cause any team problems, but Ryan has more experience to boss the team around.''

Powell will be without two of his regulars, Karl Pratt and Tonie Carroll, who are both recovering from shoulder operations, while Bradford, fresh from winning the World Club Challenge have no injury problems and will be at full strength at Valley Parade.

Frances Stephenson, the London Broncos' new signing from Wigan is out of their tie at Batley with a damaged hamstring he suffered in a pre-season warm-up at Canberra Raiders. The Broncos flew back to Britain wearing tights in order to guard against deep vein thrombosis – or economy class syndrome as it is sometimes known.

Malcolm White, the long-serving chairman of struggling Swinton, has carried out his threat to resign after only 206 paid to watch their recent tie against Skirlaugh.