Whitehaven's dual-registration deal with Leigh Centurions looks like paying dividends, judging by early performances.

Winger David Thompson has played in both League One matches so far while utility player Lewis Foster made his debut from the bench on Sunday against Toronto Wolfpack.

Thompson, who has come through the ranks at Wigan and Warrington, put in a good, determined stint against the Canadians, while a lively display from Foster included setting up Whitehaven's second try in the closing stages.

Coach Carl Forster said: “I was pleased with both players and how they contributed to the team effort.

“I thought Lewis, as well as James Newton, were good for us in a key area of the field.

"It’s good that two lads we have had in on dual-registration have slotted in so quickly.”

Toronto coach Paul Rowley knows Foster from his own time at Leigh and praised him afterwards as “a very good right-footed kicker and a fine passer of the ball.”

Unfortunately, neither player will be available to play for Haven in Sunday’s Challenge Cup tie at home to Oxford and Forster will have to go into the game without any dual registration players from Leigh.

Forster said: “They are not eligible for this one but I have confidence in the lads who were out there against Toronto to get the job done.

“I think we might be able to get Thompson on quite a few occasions during the season but I’m not so sure about Foster.

"He looks a class act and I would take him every time, but it might be they want him to play some Championship rugby.”

Foster has already appeared twice for Sheffield Eagles in the Championship, where they used him at half-back, but his preferred position is at hooker.