SWINTON LIONS go into tonight's home-but-away game against Whitehaven Warriors without goalkicking half back Ian Watson.

"Watto" has been handed a two-match ban by the RL's disciplinary beaks and sits out tonight's match at Orrell RUFC's ground near Wigan.

He will also miss the trip to Barrow next weekend when the Lions are due to take on the Border Raiders.

Phil Cushion is still missing due to his hip problem and coach Mike Gregory will have to check on Sean Casey (shoulder), Paul Loughlin (ankle) and Sean Furey (back) before naming his 17 for tonight.

The Lions will, however, be keen to collect another two points and complete a hat-trick of victories following the successes at Batley and Rochdale in their last two outings.

"I don't think we have had three wins in a row all season," said Gregory. "We have just goto to aim to win all our games now in case the teams above us slip up," Gregory added, with one eye still on a top eight place.

The game against Whitehaven has been switched to Orrell to allow work to be done on the Gigg Lane pitch and Swinton chief executive Tony Barrow said: "Everybody understands why we have had to do this and we have had no adverse comments.

"People seem happy to go along with it, and with special low prices of £4 for adults and £2 juniors we are also hoping to attract one or two people from the Wigan area to come along and have a look-in.

"The pitch at Bury is looking very, very nice now and should be in great nick for the game against York on June 25."