Championship preview: Aston faces old team-mate Powell

SHEFFIELD Eagles coach Mark Aston is pitted against former team-mate Daryl Powell as his side take on Championship high-fliers Featherstone Rovers tomorrow in the first of seven home games at Bramall Lane.

The Eagles have now made the switch to Sheffield United's stadium from Don Valley and Aston's men start off against their unbeaten Yorkshire rivals.

Man-of-the-match Aston and Powell were in the same team when the Eagles played their only previous fixture at Bramall Lane more than 20 years ago, memorably inflicting a 31-6 rout on newly-crowned World Club champions Widnes in 1989.

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Their long-time friendship is put to one side tomorrow though with Powell's Rovers striving for a sixth successive Championship victory and the flapping Eagles, who have picked up just one win this season, desperate to respond after suffering a 50-4 hammering at reigning champions Barrow on Easter Monday.

Aston lost full-back Jonny Woodcock with a knee injury in that match and also has doubts over

Ashley Thackeray (shoulder), Alex Rowe (head), Jack Howieson (arm) and Ryan Hepworth (hand).

However, he warned: "A number of players out there at Barrow and in training are not hitting the levels we need.

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"If you don't train well then you don't play as far as I am concerned.

"We'll see how people perform in training but there are likely to be changes for the Featherstone game."

Jamie Field (back) should be fit to return to action for the visitors.

Batley Bulldogs head to Barrow this evening hoping Craig Potter (neck) and Mark Toohey (groin) pass fitness tests while Lee Greenwood could return after being rested for Monday's loss at Leigh.

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Dewsbury Rams have lost Rob Spicer for another six weeks just as the the influential ex-Wakefield man thought he was nearing full fitness.

However, Alex Bretherton, Luke Menzies and Austin Buchanan are all closing in on returns and could feature when they entertain Whitehaven tomorrow still seeking that elusive first win.

Resurgent Doncaster travel to Gateshead in Championship One while Darren Robinson returns from a three-match ban for leaders Hunslet Hawks as they welcome Swinton Lions.