Draper likely to be fit for Sunday

Feb 7 2008 Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

ALTHOUGH Rob Draper is doubtful with a mouth injury, Steve McCormack expects to be picking from full strength against Leigh Centurions at Stobart Stadium Halton.

The Vikings, Northern Rail Cup holders, racked up a 38-4 win at Blackpool in the opening game of their defence.

McCormack is looking for a similar show this Sunday as the group stage of the competition continues to unwind.

He said: "I was happy with the Blackpool game - it was an improvement on the Wigan performance but we'll have to improve a lot more to get a result out of Leigh."

Centurions' football manager Darren Shaw has doubts over Gareth Price (calf) and Dave Alstead.

Leigh's squad contains a number of former Vikings players but Shaw insists they are professional enough to cope with the occasion.

Shaw said: “It'll just be another game - most of the boys are quite experienced and the occasion won't take anything away from them.

“It'll be a tough game and I can't wait for it. It's a game we need - we need to start stepping up a gear and this could be the game where we step up to the challenge.”