NOBODY wants to know Swinton Lions. Their landlords, Bury Football Club, and Salford Rugby League Club, made that plain this week.

One bit of good news though was that rivals Leigh RLFC have agreed to Swinton playing at Hilton Park towards the end of the season to allow Bury's Gigg Lane ground to be re-seeded once the soccer season ends in early May.

Hard-pressed Swinton coach Tony Humphries combines his on-field job with that of being the suffering club's commercial manager -- and that, sometimes, gives him more information than his players can use.

"I know what the real situation is," said Humphries ahead of Sunday's game at Featherstone.

"There's no doubt it is difficult, but the other half of my job is to make sure that the players are shielded from our struggle to secure a long-term home.

"I don't think the players really think too much about where Swinton can play because they are too busy trying to win their first game in nine outings.

"We've not won at Featherstone for 40 years, but I'm going to tell the players that anything is possible. We shall be going to the Lionheart Stadium in the right frame of mind."

Humphries is relatively free of injury worries and the players who almost beat Sheffield Eagles at Gigg Lane last Sunday are expected to take the field at Rovers.

Phil Cushion returns after missing the Sheffield game with a swollen knee and prop Andy Leatham faces a fitness test after going over on his ankle in training.

Unlikely

The Lions have signed utility player Gareth Pratt this week. The former Barrow, Leigh, Dewsbury and Batley player is unlikely to feature in the starting line-up at Featherstone, but there may be a place on the bench for the 31-year-old newcomer.

Featherstone coach Ian Fairhurst has already warned his team: "Remember the lessons from last week's game against Hunslet Hawks.

"We took our foot off the gas against the Hawks and it almost cost us the game. We don't want to be in the same situation against the Lions.

"Swinton have had their fair share of problems this week and they'll be coming to the Lionheart Stadium with little or no pressure on them.

"They are literally fighting for their lives -- and that will make them very difficult opponents for my team".

Craig Booth has to face the Disciplinary Committee and has a knee injury, while former Castleford forward Ian Tonks is still struggling to overcome a pelvic injury.

"It's a no-win situation for us," added Fairhurst, "but we've got to do what we have to do. All I want from this game is the two points for a win.

"I don't want my players to be complacent though. Swinton almost beat Sheffield Eagles last week -- and that's not bad form after what they have had to endure.

"They'll have to win a game sometime -- and it's up to us to make sure that it's not Featherstone Rovers that takes the fall."