SWINTON LIONS go into their first competitive game of the season at home to Hull Kingston Rovers at Gigg Lane on Sunday (kick-off 3pm) minus hooker Rob Barrowclough, but full of optimism.

Barrowclough had a cartilage operation six weeks ago and is still building up to full fitness, with a post-Boxing Day return being pencilled in at the moment.

Utility man Carl Fitzpatrick will fill in at No. 9 against Hull KR. He is one of a number of new faces brought in by new coach Tony Humphries during the close season.

Fitzpatrick played at Widnes and Humphries says: "He can play anywhere. He's big and fast enough. A fit Rob Barrowclough will always be in your team, but you've also got to find a place for Carl Fitzpatrick because he's a very good player."

The Lions will be captained this season by 25-year-old Craig Dean, who came to Swinton via Leigh and Halifax.

With Phil Veivers, Paul Loughlin and Paul Smith all gone and the likes of Jon Neill and John Paul Doherty still recovering from injury, Humphries had to recruit and he has done so to some tune, with 35 players now signed on for the Lions.

"Before the start of last season, Swinton hardly had enough players for a team of 13," said Humphries, "now we have a very strong squad."

The Lions still have Tony Barrow in place as chief executive and chairman Malcolm White heads up the board, but they also have new directors on board in Frank Evans, Cliff Leonard and Richard Taylor.

Humphries is the club's commercial manager as well as coach and he says: "We are looking for a sponsor for the Boxing Day home game against Leigh. It's an attractive fixture against one of the top teams in the Northern Ford Premiership and it's a local derby to boot.

"Any interested parties can contact me on 0161-794 6150."