Whitehaven's players are “bouncing” with anticipation as they bid to land a Challenge Cup clash with Championside side Halifax.

Both hosts Whitehaven and visitors Oxford would enjoy getting to grips with a Halifax side who have shown mixed form in the season so far.

Haven coach Carl Forster is happy with his side’s preparations and confident the Recreation Ground game will go ahead following last Sunday’s postponement.

“The lads are bouncing at the moment, very keen to get back into action after missing out last Sunday through the postponement," said Forster.

“The weather has been glorious and, with that set to continue through the weekend, we should have no problems in playing this time.

“Oxford will be as keen as us to make progress, so that they can test themselves against Halifax.

"It’s only about six months since we played them in the Championship Shield, so it will be good to see how much we’ve improved.

“But as I will be stressing to the players, we are not taking anything for granted with Halifax.

"We have a job to do and that is to beat Oxford who will be coming up here to give it their best shot."

Dave Allen has still not been included in the squad, as Forster doesn’t want to take any chances with the forward’s ankle injury which has kept him on the sidelines so far.

But the squad is starting to have a familiar look about it, even though Forster doesn’t have the option of using Leigh players on dual registration.

Oxford were due to set off at 4am for the long trek to west Cumbria with the tie set to kick-off at 2pm.

Whitehaven will choose from: Miller, Burns, Parker, Taylor, Calvert, Roper, Crook, Shackley, Newton, Forster, McAvoy, Holliday, Olstrum, Tilley, Riley, Holland, Maudling, Pattinson, Fox.