SWINTON Lions will be missing loose forward Phil Veivers for the visit of Batley to Gigg Lane on Sunday (3pm).

The influential Veivers was rushed into hospital with appendicitis earlier this week and is expected to be missing for four to six weeks.

It's a real blow for Lions coach Mike Gregory whose small squad will be tested to the limit over the next few weeks.

"Losing Phil is a big disappointment for us and we can ill afford to be without a player like him," he said.

"We are down to nineteen players now and hopefully will have him back soon."

Gregory was satisfied with the 72-0 routing of a woeful York side last weekend but still believes his charges can improve on the handling side.

"I haven't been 100 per cent happy with our ball control from day one," he added. "But I know the lads can do the business and they have proved it in the past with wins over Leigh last season.

"It's something we will continue to work on until we get it right."

Sunday's visitors from over the Pennines are a workmanlike side that the Lions will have to match from the start.

In Glyn Tomlinson they have an influential player who Gregory rates highly and he will have to be watched closely if Swinton are to make it a second successive win.

HAFTER Sunday's game the Swinton players will be in the Gigg Lane Social Club where Lions chairman Malcolm White will present an award to the man of the match.

Coach Gregory will also be present to give his views on the game.