FORMER Super League star Richard Henare is in line for his Swinton Lions debut on Sunday.

The Kiwi speedster is in coach Les Holliday's squad for the trip to York after winning temporary clearance from the Home Office to resume playing.

His inclusion, and that of Simon Ashcroft, comes as a timely boost for the Lions who are still without a host of first teamers due to injury.

With their first Northern Ford Premiership victory behind them, courtesy of 23-8 result at home to Bramley on Sunday, the Lions are determined to get on a roll.

"We have to build on that win. There is a lot of room for improvement still," says chief executive Tony Barrow.

"It was a very dull game but we got the two points which is the important thing. If we are fighting for the league title at the end of the season then nobody will remember it." Should the Lions record their second successive triumph on Sunday (kick-off 3pm) they will be in great shape for the home clash with Dewsbury a week later.

Three key players could be back for that encounter to give the Lions' line-up a more familiar look.

Paul Stevens, who has been out with a broken collarbone, is almost ready to return, along with Sean Casey (hamstring) and Tony Barrow Jnr (ankle).

"We have to get through the York game and then, hopefully, things will get back to normal," adds Barrow.

"That should signal the end of our bad injury patch for the season. Our poor start to the campaign is down to the disruption in the squad. It is hard when young or new players have to come in.

"But it is looking more positive now. When we are back at full strength that is when you will see the real Lions. That is when we can play the type of game we want to play and we will put pressure on anyone.

"When we are fully fit I believe we are good enough to be a top five side - without question."

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