SWINTON chief executive Tony Barrow welcomed the step back towards winter Rugby League as the Lions prepared for the final match of the season at Leigh on Sunday.

Leigh are involved in an intriguing four-club chase for the Northern Ford Premiership title, but it's Swinton's future that concerns Barrow and he is already looking towards next season.

Having gone on record as saying that the Lions will be back at Gigg Lane next season - and are more than happy to be there - Barrow's major concern is getting the fans to come through the turnstiles in larger numbers.

And the decision to bring the start of the Premiership season forward by a month to Boxing Day, December 26, was hailed by Barrow as a step in the right direction.

"Ever since Rugby League switched to summer the amateur game, which is still played in the winter months, has seen a rise in attendances," said Barrow.

"That shows that the fans want to watch Rugby League in the winter and by doing this there is every chance we might attract some stragglers from the Super League clubs who want to watch some rugby a little bit earlier. "It has always been my opinion, and I must stress it's a purely personal one and not one shared by the club as a whole, that there is only one time for Rugby League to be played - and that's during the winter."

Turning to Sunday's game at Leigh, the Lions are set to welcome back second-rower Richie Eyres and half back Steve Gartland.

He missed the game against Widnes last Sunday as part of the agreement on his loan from the Vikings, while Gartland was out through injury.

That situation has, in fact, got worse with hooker Carl McCabe (knee), forward Howard Hill (knee) and full back Mark Welsby (groin) added to an alarming list that may leave coach Mike Gregory desperately short of bodies on Sunday.

So Swinton will once again be looking to the youngsters to do the business against Leigh.

"We want to finish the season off with a win," said Barrow. "Widnes admit themselves that was the best they have played all season last week and while we know we weren't at our best, no team in this division relishes playing Swinton because they know we are capable of turning any of them over on our day.

"If we play to the standard we did against Barrow a couple of weeks ago we are in with a good chance."

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