CHORLEY Lynx will venture into the unknown in the New Year after being drawn against Russian side Locomotiv Moscow in the third round of the Powergen Challenge Cup.

Locomotiv, and city rivals Dynamo, were both invited into the competition by the Rugby Football League for this season and Locomotiv will play the Lynx at Victory Park on the weekend of February 7 and 8 - Dynamo have been drawn against Rochdale Hornets.

It is not the first time the Lynx have played overseas opposition in the competition, they faced top French side UTC two years ago, but coach Mark Lee admitted he was a little bit in the dark as to the strength of the opposition his side will face.

"It is definitely uncharted territory, but we are already stocking up on the vodka," smiled Lee.

"They are an unknown quantity to us at the moment, but I will be making sure that we can get as much information on them as we can.

"We know that they will be a big robust side and it will be a physical battle, so hopefully we will have the skills to back that up and take the game.

"But the game is developing quickly in Russia, I know that the other Russian side Dynamo have a couple of Kiwis on board, so we will definitely be doing our homework on Locomotiv ahead of the game."

Former St Helens and Salford player Lee, who joined the Lynx in summer as coach after the departure of Darren Abram to Leigh, is still pulling together his new squad for the coming season but is feeling confident having made a string of signings.

Lee has already brought five players on board with winger Gary O'Regan from Salford City Reds, Warrington Wolves full-back Lee Patterson, half-back Neil Alexander from Workington Town, ex-St Helens player Jim Jeavons and Wigan prop forward Gareth Jones signed up.

And Lee is still looking for new talent.

"We are still hunting and there are a couple of key positions we need to fill yet," he revealed.

"The squad is coming together now having made a few new additions to the squad that we have retained, but I still feel that we will really get going once the Christmas period is over.

"After that I know that the players are really going to be able to commit their time to training and playing for Chorley, and we have one or two players we are talking to who I can't disclose yet that will strengthen our squad."

However, Lee knows that his side will be tested from the off as their Challenge Cup date with the Russians is sandwiched between two testing Arriva Trains group clashes with Oldham and Leigh - sides from a division above National Two outfit Chorley.

"We will have just one friendly against a Widnes side on Sunday, January 18 and then it will be down to playing Oldham in the first week of February," explained Lee.

"So the game against Locomotiv is wedged between two huge matches for us in Oldham and Leigh.

"To be honest I am not expecting a fairytale start to my coaching career here given the strength of our opponents, but equally we will find out how good we are and we will not be facing anything much tougher throughout the season."

The Lynx are holding a meet the players event on Friday, January 23, at Victory Park and the club are also seeking sponsors for the coming season - anyone interested in helping can contact the club on 01254-263406.