WHITEHAVEN coach James Coyle expects a strong challenge from Swinton Lions tomorrow.

Under coach John Duffy the Sale-based outfit have started to move forward impressively, resulting in an extended contract for the coach.

“I know John and he was a brilliant player who is proving to be a very good coach. He understands the game and has developed a good style of play for his side. They have a lot of players who learnt their trade at Wigan, picking-up good habits in the process.

“They play in a free-flowing way and there’s no doubt they are capable of asking us a few questions. It’s going to be a different test to what we got against Oldham, so it should be an interesting clash.”

A 32-24 victory at Batley last week was their first at Mount Pleasant for 16 years and their fourth in the Championship.

They are third of the four teams on eight points in the table – just ahead of Whitehaven on points differential.

Haven have a game in hand of their three rivals, and that catch-up fixture is on May 7 at the Recreation Ground against Featherstone Rovers.

It’s a big May for Whitehaven as in addition to the home game with Featherstone they have matches against two of the sides level on points Swinton (a) and Dewsbury (h); a Summer Big Bash date with Workington Town; and a long trip to London Broncos.

“First on the agenda is Swinton and as results have shown they are an improving side. We won’t be looking at any other game until we’ve got Swinton out of the way,” said Coyle. Coyle admits he has had to think long and hard about team selection for this one, with four Widnes players in the mix – Ed Chamberlain, Ted and Jay Chapelhow, and Sam Brooks.