RUGBY LEAGUE: Nixon covers for injured Pearson

FEATHERSTONE Rovers have signed the New Zealand stand-off Mark Nixon as a replacement for the injured Martin Pearson, who has damaged knee ligaments and could be out of action for most of the season.

Rovers have wasted no time in enlisting Nixon, who previously played in England for Rochdale Hornets and toured here with New Zealand last season. He is expected to arrive next week, in time for Featherstone's match against Workington, but his signing means that Rovers have had to abandon their plans to take the Canberra Raiders prop Paul Osborne on trial.

Osborne was due to fly to Britain after playing for Canberra in the Australian Grand Final on Sunday, but Featherstone have told him that their priority for their remaining overseas player now has to be a stand-off.

Nixon could be making his debut alongside Andy Currier, who was last night cleared of a charge of making a late, high tackle on Paul Newlove in the match against Bradford last Friday.

Currier was sent off after having previously been sent to the sin-bin for a foul on the same player, but Featherstone claimed that video evidence showed that his tackle was not high.

The Queensland forward Gavin Allen has had talks with the London Broncos about joining them for the rest of the season. Brett Galea and Sid Domic have also been discussed as possible loan acquisitions.