CHORLEY Lynx take a journey into the unknown tonight when they face Russian outfit Lokomotiv Moscow in the third round of the Powergen Challenge Cup at Victory Park (kick-off 7.30pm).

Little is known about their Russian opponents, only that they took part in last year's competition and were thrashed by over 70 points by Leigh Centurions, but Lynx coach Mark Lee is not overly anxious.

"We were looking at doing some homework on them, but given the time we have had it has been more of a case of concentrating on getting our own game right," said Lee.

Last weekend Lynx played their first competitive game of the season in the Arriva Trains Cup, and unfortunately they ran into an Oldham outfit who were in unstoppable form and Chorley had no answer as they conceded 11 tries to the side from a division above them in the National League.

Lee, however, is sure that his young side will learn a lot from the experience and improve as the season progresses.

"In many ways the performance was not a bad as the 64-14 scoreline suggests, but we did spend long periods defending," said Lee.

"We knew what we wanted to do and we did put that into action, but Oldham were just a lot better at doing what they wanted to do.

"But we have the cup game tonight which is obviously a bit special as it is the cup and against a Russian side and, after spending a week beating themselves up over the Oldham defeat, the lads definitely want to put a few things right."

On the downside, recent signing Danny Barton will be missing for up to six weeks after sustaining ankle ligament damage against Oldham, but Mick Redford will return after serving a two-match suspension and Darryl Lacey is also unavailable after missing last week's game.

"Danny is a good worker and a quick healer so he may be back sooner," said Lee.

"Chris Ramsdale is missing due to a cut knee, but we have Mick back and Darryl returns from his spell with the English Students side, so we should be strong enough."

CHORLEY LYNX (from): Smyth, Paterson, Capewell, Kilgannon, O'Regan, Murray, Gambles, Hill, Roden, Gareth Jones, Gary Smith, Redford, Newall, Alexander, Simon Smith, Parry, Briggs, Lacey, Carl Jones.