Highton facing lengthy lay-off

Paul Highton.

PAUL HIGHTON is to go for a scan on his injured knee and could be out of action for a lengthy period.

The ex-Salford prop forward’s last appearance for the Roughyeds came in the 20-18 loss at York a month ago and he has struggled with the problem since.

It is thought that a foreign body — possibly a fragment of bone — is causing the discomfort and it is an injury that is not improving with time.

Highton’s enforced absence means that coach Tony Benson has reduced options in the pack for the visit to league leaders Dewsbury on Sunday.

Another player who may not make the trip to West Yorkshire is Craig Littler.

The centre, whose loan spell at Swinton expires on Saturday, seemed set for a recall due to the current injuries crisis.

But it now transpires that he has suffered a small fracture in his arm. It isn’t thought at this stage to be too serious, but more should be known today when Roughyeds chief executive Chris Hamilton makes contact with Lions coach Paul Kidd.

Elsewhere, former Oldham coach Steve Deakin is back in rugby league having been installed as Barrow’s new head coach until the end of the season.

It follows on from the surprising demotion of Dave Clark, who steps down to become Deakin’s assistant despite leading the club to the Northern Rail Cup final and their current position of second in the Co-operative Championship, in the Raiders’ first season after gaining promotion.