By Martin Morgan

Last updated 16:03, Wednesday, 16 July 2008

ARMCHAIR Whitehaven fans will NOT after all be able to tune in to TV commentary in English of Saturday’s clash with Celtic Crusaders in Bridgend (4.15pm).

Bad break: Winger John Lebbon was injured at Leigh

S4C are planning to adopt English commentaries, in addition to Welsh, for Celtic’s home games in NL1 this season, and it had been hoped the new service would be available in time for Haven’s trip to Wales.

But it has now been revealed that the match will narrowly miss out on the service, which will launch next month.

The Crusaders are still urging fans to watch the game, however, which is available on satellite TV.

“Please tune in if you’re not able to come down to Wales,” spokesman Ian Golden said. “S4C do a fantastic coverage of rugby league. It’s enthusiastic, very well presented and there are English subtitles available. Plus it’s presented by the lovely Sarra Elgan – you really can’t go wrong.”

The good news is that Haven will now travel south on Friday, avoiding a gruelling six-hour trip on the day of the match.

“The board have found a way of getting us down there,” said coach Ged Stokes. “They realised it was a big ask to go down on Saturday. We are in front of the TV cameras again and the confidence is there.”

It has also emerged that Haven’s home game against Sheffield Eagles, scheduled for Sunday, August 10, has been brought forward by three days to be shown live on Sky Sports.

The Haven squad said its farewells in training on Tuesday night to scrum-half Gregg McNally ahead of his England Under-18 tour to Australia.

He was presented with a cash gift from team-mates, and the club also chipped in.

“We gave him a little envelope, and all the boys wished him well,” said Stokes. “He’s probably the only one on the tour still at school. The rest will all be contracted players.”

Clubs will finally learn on Tuesday the make-up of Super League for the next three years, and how that will impact on the National Leagues next season.

They have been unaware how many will be relegated from NL1 and promoted from League Two, which concerns Haven’s marketing director Mike Graham

“They should have had the situation resolved long before now. It’s been a difficult season to fiscally plan for when you don’t know the ground rules. I find that bizarre,” he said.

“The Rugby League have been rather shabby in not declaring their hand before now. Because of our on-field success, the position is better for us than other clubs, but one ought to know where you stand at the start of the season, not the end.”

Last week’s outstanding win at Sheffield lifted Haven over the Eagles in to fifth place, with Leigh now only two points ahead.

Haven visit Hilton Park on August 17 for a match that could go a long way to decide who finishes fourth and earns a home tie in the first round of the play-offs.

“Our aspiration is the top-six play-offs and always has been,” Graham added.

Winger John Lebbon will be in plaster for six weeks after fracturing his fibia and dislocating an ankle in Saturday’s reserve-grade defeat at Leigh. He spent a couple of nights in a Bolton hospital but is now home.

Team manager Dave Farrell said: “I’ve spoken to John and he’s pretty upbeat. It’s a fairly clear cut injury with no complications. And there’s every chance John can come back.

“Ryan Campbell at Workington Town came back from a similar injury and is playing as well as he’s ever done.”

Last week’s Pride of Five £100 winners were: D Cameron, of Thornhill Road, High Meadows, with ticket number 117; R Bell, The Crescent, Bransty, 3,206; Mrs Pringle, Coniston Avenue, Seascale, 3,165; P&M Scaife, Manesty Rise, Low Moresby, 2,576; L Grundhill, Calder Avenue, 30.