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Royle set to step right in for Panthers
FYLDE RU winger Nick Royle was labelled "99 per cent certain" to make a full debut for Blackpool Panthers RL tomorrow following his first training session back in the 13-a-side code.
A rib cartilage injury to Dave Llewellyn ended any hesitation coach Martin Crompton may have had over fielding free-scoring right winger Royle at home to a much-depleted York City Knights in Co-operative Championship One (3pm).
Royle, who was on the books of Widnes and Rochdale Hornets as a teenager before switching codes, has agreed to spend July and August with the Panthers as part of the deal which keeps him at Fylde for the 2009/10 season.
Both clubs share the Woodlands ground in Ansdell, where the Panthers made light of five weeks without a fixture to register a record home win (46-18) over Workington last Sunday.
Both wingers, Damien Munro and Tom Woodcock, scored twice in that game but Llewellyn's injury means Woodcock will revert to the centres.
Crompton said: "Nick looked sharp in his first session on Tuesday. One more session and I've no doubt he'll be ready. We have prepared in the right manner, as though we are facing a full-strength York team."
The second-placed City Knights have suspended five of their players, including coach Paul March, for tomorrow's match because of behaviour at a social function in Leeds last weekend.
Llewellyn aside, Crompton has no fresh injury concerns after the hammering of Workington which left his side looking a safe bet for the play-offs, even with eight games remaining.
The top seven has always been Crompton's target for his second season in charge but now he is setting his sights higher.
"I think third or fourth is a realistic goal," he added. "We have a game in hand on Swinton and Hunslet (in fifth and sixth) and a couple more wins would put us right in the mix.
"Last week's effort was fantastic in the context of five weeks without a game and has given us plenty of confidence."
On the downside, Crompton confirmed that Chris Forster will not play again this season after damaging cruciate ligaments against Keighley in May.
However, the coach is not short of half-back options after recruiting the Workington duo Carl Forber and Jay Duffy.
Crompton added: "I with delighted with Carl's contribution on his debut last weekend. He compliments Simon Svabic very well at half-back. Carl takes the pressure off Simon with the kicking game, which means Simon can play more of an organiser's role."
Finally, the coach confirmed that robust forward Andy Marsh could still feature this season, though he is yet to resume training after being given the all-clear by doctors following a long-term shoulder problem.
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Weather for Blackpool
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 4 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 31 mph
Wind direction: West
