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Aston: York is a great cup draw for Eagles

18/03/2021

Sheffield Eagles Director of Rugby Mark Aston has insisted that their Challenge Cup first round draw against York City Knights is great for his side.

The Knights have bolstered their squad with a number of key signings from Super League and overseas but Aston is looking forward to the challenge.

The Eagles chief also mentioned that there would have been no easy draws in the cup, even with three League 1 sides in the mix.

“It is a great draw for us!” said Aston

“There are only three League 1 clubs and 12 other Championship teams so whoever we’d have drawn would have given us a tough game.

“I am delighted that we’re playing York.

“We’ve gone about our business as we’ve always done while they have brought in some big signings from Super League.

“They have a strong squad and a new stadium too so they will have a bit of a buzz about them but all we have got to do is concentrate on us and put in a performance we can be proud of.”

Should the Eagles win on Friday night, a trip to either London Broncos or Keighley Cougars awaits for a place in the third round of the Challenge Cup and semi-finals of the 1895 Cup.

There will be no underestimation on the Eagles’ part if they do progress at the expense of York, especially with their 1895 Cup on the line.

“If we do end up beating York, we go to either London or Keighley the round after so it doesn’t get any easier really,” Aston added.

“We have potentially two tough games leading into the new season and that is what we need.

“I’ve said it on the record that six weeks of pre-season is not a great deal of time so hopefully this will stand us in good stead.

“We have to remember that progress in the Challenge Cup puts us through to the 1895 Cup too, if you lose then you’re out of both.

“We are the holders so there is an added bonus if we do get through in the Challenge Cup.

“We haven’t had any friendlies, we have been off for 12 months like everyone else, but we’re going to test ourselves against a very tough team with ex-Super League players in the York City Knights.”

There has also been bad news coming out of the Eagles camp recently as Connor Bower will be out of action for up to four to six weeks with a MCL injury.

Aston explained: “After 12 months out, coming back and playing games, there will always be a massive risk that some players will pick up injuries,”

“Connor did all the training and preparation that needed to be done before we went into a 13 vs 13 full contact game and unfortunately he ended up with big Tyler Dickinson falling on him.

“It put his knee in an awkward position but it isn’t as bad as we first thought.

“He’s already two weeks into recovery so it should be around four to six weeks from here.

“The kid has had a great pre-season, got himself in good shape, and I’m sure he’ll keep working to get himself back.”

By Dan Fowler