Sheffield Eagles v Widnes Vikings

Co-operative Championship Elimination Play-Off

Bramall Lane, Friday September 9, kick-off 7.45pm

Boosted by a fourth place finish in the league the Eagles aim to make home advantage count when they face Widnes Vikings in the first round of the play-offs.

Coach Mark Aston is delaying his decision on the final line-up with several payers struggling to recover from injuries.

He will also be without centre Menzie Yere who was suspended for two matches by the RFL disciplinary committee earlier this week.

Yere, who has scored 20 tries this season, was found guilty of making dangerous contact with Featherstone's Jon Hepworth.

Physio Mick Heys has been busy with Mitch Stringer, Sam Scott, Dane McDonald and Vinny Finigan all needing running repairs.

Eagles are in try-scoring form with 10 in the 52-18 win over York which secured a fourth-place finish in the Co-operative Championship.

Aston said: “Last year we finished sixth and made the play-off semi-finals – this time around we want to go one better and make the Grand Final. The priority is to beat Widnes – this is play-off rugby and no second chances. We’ve got a few injuries but the spirit of the lads is great.”

He added: “We're pleased we've got the home draw against Widnes. We got a big score against York, we showed we can play and we've got a lot of confidence going into the Widnes game.”

Widnes, who will play in the Super League from next season, ended their league season with a 44-4 home defeat by Championship leaders’ shield winners Featherstone Rovers.

Centre Steve Tyrer will be assessed after suffering a knock against Featherstone, but Kevin Penny is fit despite leaving the field early against Rovers.

Widnes coach Denis Betts will also hope to have Simon Finnigan available after he missed last week's game through illness.

Betts must somehow raise his squad for the challenge of the play-offs, after admitting: “It's been a very difficult few weeks.

“Players have formed good friendships, everyone gets on, we have a good team spirit and they are hurting as some of their team-mates are leaving the club.”