CH preview: Featherstone v Whitehaven (Thu)

Featherstone Rovers football manager Sean Long insists Featherstone must be more clinical if they are to achieve their goals this season.

Featherstone, who are three points adrift of league leaders Sheffield Eagles , won 24-12 at Keighley Cougars on Sunday.

But Long will demand improvement on Thursday. He said: “We were a bit scrappy.

“We started well and had a lot of ball, but our execution let us down.”

Featherstone’s Ben Kaye (shoulder) faces a late fitness test, while Whitehaven will travel without Dave Houghton, who is ruled out with a knee problem.

Whitehaven coach Dave Woods said: “We’re desperate for a bonus point as a minimum this week.

“If we’re to have any chance of trying to make the play-offs we need a bonus point on Thursday and then to get a win next week.”

On Rovers, Woods said: “We know they’re a good, tough side. They’ve a strong pack, plenty of experience out wide and some really smart halves.”