York Wasps and Widnes Vikings will be desperate to get back down to business when they meet at Huntington Stadium tomorrow after a traumatic week for both clubs off the field.

Widnes' week has been dominated by the sacking of coach Colin Whitfield and rumours of potential successors - with Dewsbury coach Neil Kelly a hot favourite.

In the interim veteran player David Hulme has taken on the role of caretaker coach, aided by former Great Britain amateur boss and Salford assistant coach John Foran.

They will be trying to halt a dismal run of form, culminating in last Sunday's 31-20 home defeat by Oldham which led to Whitfield's sacking.

It is the Wasps first home match since the death of chairman Trevor Cox and a minute's silence will be held before the game as a mark of respect.

They will be keen produce a performance worthy of such an emotional occasion, and their impressive display at Dewsbury on Wednesday suggested they are more than capable of achieving that aim.

They will be aided by Spencer Hargrave's decision to withdraw his transfer request after clear the air talks with coaches Dean Robinson and John Paterson.

His previous comments had threatened to unsettle the camp but he has now resolved his differences.

However, Robinson and Paterson are still at loggerheads with the board of directors.

Robinson has allegedly been disciplined over previous comments made in the press, which he denies, and has taken advice from the Coaches Association.

Until the situation is revolved he has been advised not to speak to the press on any matters so little team news is available for tomorrow's match.

The only definite changes from the team which performed so valiantly at Ram Stadium are that full-back Kevin Gray and prop Lea Tichener will come in for injured duo Shaun Austerfield and Mick Hagan.

Austerfield, stretchered off against Dewsbury, could be out for four weeks after displacing his right knee cap and suffering ligament damage while Hagan has hurt a shoulder.

Lee McTigue, John McCracken and Hargrave, who were all left out on Wednesday, will be in contention for a recall.

Widnes, in sixth place despite their poor form, are unlikely to make many changes from the team beaten by Oldham although Cliff Eccles could return.

Their most recent signing - 6ft 3in, 17st Tongan winger Isi Tapueluelu, who played in the rugby union World Cup - is again left on the sidelines as his work permit has not yet come through.

York Wasps (from): Gray, McKenzie, Lee, Lambert, Hargrave, Woodcock, Cain, Preston, Hayes, Pallister, S Hill, Judge, Booth, Darley, Dobson, Tichener, A Hill, McCracken, Ryce.

Widnes Vikings (from): Munro, Cheetham, Percival, Myler, Verbickas, Mansson, Donohue, Hansen, Cantillon, Argent, Gee, Mann, Hulme, Leuila, Hill, Fitzpatrick, O'Neill, Eccles.

Referee: Alan Bates (Workington)

Kick-off: 3pm

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