Sunday's rearranged League One clash at Hunslet is building up into a big fixture for both Whitehaven and the hosts.

Not only is it a contest between the current player-coach and the former Haven coach, but third in the table is the prize for the victors.

While Toronto Wolfpack are fully-expected to stroll to the title, with Barrow Raiders the most likely to chase them home, it’s important for the others to try and stay on their coat-tails.

“We have won four of our first five league games and, as the defeat was by Toronto, I think we can feel it’s been a very good start,” said coach Carl Forster.

“But if we lose at Hunslet it becomes four from six and that isn’t as good, more ordinary in fact.

“So, we have a big week in prospect preparing well for Sunday’s game and I’m hoping that we will more or less have a full squad to pick from.

“If we can get a good result there, it will set us up for the next home game against Newcastle Thunder, before a long trip to play London Skolars.”

The Haven player-coach had been cleared to play in Sunday’s Challenge Cup tie with Halifax after the match review panel had looked at his yellow card in the Good Friday derby with Workington Town.

He had caught Town’s Carl Forber with a shoulder charge but the panel decided that the yellow card had been sufficient punishment.

Town’s Jamie Doran had been noted for a high tackle in the same game but no charge was forthcoming.

Meanwhile, Sunday’s opponents Hunslet are trying to make up for the disappointment of losing the original fixture on Mother’s Day when several initiatives had been arranged ahead of the game.

It’s been rebranded as Ladies Day with similar features to the postponed game with flowers on entry, musical entertainment and food.