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Manihera will be not be risked

It has been reported in tonight's News and Star (22/11/01) that Tane Manihera will not be risked in the club's league opener against Sheffield Eagles if he is not fully fit.

Gary Murdock will not gamble with the fitness of the half-back, who has been recovering from recent minor knee surgery. Gary has stated that Tane has to be 100 per cent fit and that last thing he wants is for him to play and then lose him for the following weeks.

Manihera, who gave up the chance of playing rugby union for Wigton in the off-season to ensure he was ready for the start of the League campaign, ruled himself out of the recent friendly against the Scottish Students.

Even if Manihera is judged ready to face the Eagles on Sunday week, young stand-in Craig Rumney will be in the 19-man squad that will prepare for the game after he featured for much of the Students game at scrum-half, inside Martin Wood.

Matthew Tunstall has returned from his honeymoon and is back in training, but fellow forward Craig Barker has been sidelined by a pulled calf muscle an injury he picked up in the final training session before the Students game.

Fight over Bone goes to tribunal

A Rugby League tribunal will rule on the dispute over back-rower Alan Bone on November 27.

Town believe they should be able to sign him as he is a free agent since being released by Haven.

Bone, who has been training with Town, underwent shoulder reconstruction surgery over the summer, arranged by Haven, and has been shaping up well in training. Gary Murdock had been keen for him to feature in their friendly against the Scottish Students on Saturday.

Haven claim a letter terminating Bone's contract at the club was written after he indicated he was retiring on medical grounds. They have offered him a new deal and reckon he is still their player and they are due a fee if he moves.

Town are equally sure of their case and their solicitor has advised the club that the letter terminating Bone's contract is legal and binding.

Bone was restricted to just a handful of games last term due to his shoulder injury but had previously been a first-team regular at Haven.

Wood set to play

Martin Wood will definitely feature in Workington Town's friendly against the Scottish Students on Saturday as will most Town's new signings.

Wood, the former NFP player-of-the-year joined the squad in a team-bonding workout at a Lake District outward bound centre at the weekend and is raring to go.

His prospective half-back partner in the coming league campaign, Tane Manihera, may not be quite match-ready following minor surgery last month and if there are any doubts about his fitness he will not be risked. Craig Rumney could get his chance to shine alongside Wood.

Another newcomer, former Barrow utility man Brett McDermott, is expected to feature at loose-forward as well as centre for some part of the game.

There has been a slight concern over Gary Charlton's fitness following recent Achilles trouble, which has hampered his training, but he plans to play.

McGrady misses opening fixture

Steve McGrady has lost his battle to be fit for the opening match against Sheffield.

Steve ruled himself out of last Saturday's friendly against the Scottish Students and will not come into contention for the visit of the Eagles on Sunday week.

The centre featured in just a handful of games last season before he had to undergo an operation in which a piece of protruding bone was shaved off his heel.

The player would be a first-choice centre of many fans, and he is expected to be in contention for the first team very shortly.

Town still have plenty of options in the three-quarters with Kevin Hetherington, Neil Frazer, Graeme Lewthwaite, Brett McDermott, Jonathan Heaney and Gary Ruddy all raring to go.

Gary Charlton's pre-season work has been handicapped by Achilles and groin injuries, but he came through the Students match without suffering any adverse reaction.