By Martin Morgan

Last updated 10:22, Thursday, 19 June 2008

WHITEHAVEN duo Carl Rudd and Carl Sice are in line for first-team recalls at Halifax on Sunday after passing Tuesday night’s reserve-grade test against Workington Town with flying colours.

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Recall: Carl Rudd is due to return on Sunday

Sice touched down twice in the 40-16 win, which kept Haven’s second-string in strong contention for a play-off place.

But there is a concern over Leroy Joe, the third first-team regular making his return to action through the reserves, after he suffered a knock to the arm he broke against Leigh six weeks ago.

“Sicey and Carl Rudd pulled up okay, but Leroy’s bang on his arm puts a bit of a question mark against him,” boss Ged Stokes said.

“Anything like that’s bound to worry him, though hopefully he’ll be all right.”

Rudd had missed three matches following minor knee surgery, while Sice had to sit out four with a hand fracture.

Stokes reckons Haven will need all the experience they can muster at The Shay against second-placed Fax, who beat Haven 48-16 in Yorkshire, in their third game of the campaign, when playmaker Graham Holroyd was to the fore.

“Halifax are a good outfit, there’s no doubt about it,” added Stokes. “You don’t win as many games as they have this year without being a good team.

“People say everything revolves around Holroyd, but they are not one-dimensional. If you think that you are in trouble.

“We have a team that can really test them. We want to compete a lot better than in the first game this year.”

Meanwhile, Stokes hailed the news that scrum-half Gregg McNally had been selected for the forthcoming England Academy Under-18 tour to Australia. And he believes the 17-year-old will benefit hugely from the experience.

“Touring is one of the best things you will ever do, but it’s also tough, mentally and physically demanding,” the coach added.

“But if Gregg has the intention of becoming a Super League player he has to leave the district. He’ll be fine.

“He’s going in to an environment where he’s sharing a room and is away from his family. It’s different to what he’s used to, and it all leads in to being a Super League player.”

The tour party fly from Manchester on July 16 and face a warm-up match in Brisbane before taking on the mighty Australian Schoolboys in the first of two Tests over the first weekend in August, in Townsville, North Queensland.

The exact date is not yet known as the match is being played as a curtain-raiser to an NRL clash and will depend on TV schedules. The second Test will follow on Saturday, August 9, in Brisbane.

McNally will be unavailable for Haven trips to Celtic Crusaders and Dewsbury, and the visits of Halifax and Sheffield.

He had initially planned to join Leeds Rhinos for a spell next month, though his involvement with Haven’s first-team is thought to have ruled out that idea even before his tour call-up.

Haven’s reserves led 18-6 at the break at Workington, Andrew Jones and Derry Eilbeck, two, crossing. Sice followed up with a brace, and Marc Shackley and Dan Smith added further tries, Marc Bainbridge slotting six goals.

“It was probably not the best we have played, but we got back to winning ways after a couple of defeats, and we have to be happy with that,” said reserve-grade manager Dave Farrell.

“Give a bit of credit to Workington, who had a very young side. They had a go and made it difficult for us at times. And they played with spirit and enthusiasm.”

Haven’s reserves host Rochdale on Saturday (2.30pm kick-off.)

Last week’s Pride of Five £100 winners were: W Burns, Burnmoor Avenue, Mirehouse, with ticket number 2,850; L Mossop, Grizedale Close, Mirehouse, 548; Y Wright, Queen Street, Whitehaven, 1,097; M Martindale, King’s Drive, Egremont, 1,906; E Reed, Buttermere Avenue, Seacliffe, 559.