McConnell in as cover for Cunningham
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Your support makes all the difference.St Helens are set to rely on the unknown reserve team hooker, Dave McConnell, as back-up to Keiron Cunningham for the rest of the season.
Saints have lost their deputy in the position, Mick Higham, for two months with a broken jaw following a tackle from the Salford full-back, Gary Broadbent, on Sunday. The Saints coach, Ian Millward, called it "one of the most sickening I've seen for a long time".
"I can see why all our players reacted so aggressively. The lad was in a real mess afterwards and I'm still concerned about the effect that it will have on him."
Broadbent was banned for five matches at a disciplinary hearing yesterday, after being placed on report by the match referee, Karl Kirkpatrick, but Higham's misfortune brings an opportunity for McConnell, a 20-year-old without a first-team appearance so far in his career, especially with Cunningham's future still undecided.
"The next 48 hours are vital in deciding whether Keiron is staying or going to rugby union," Millward said. "It is a blow losing Higham, but if I need another hooker, I will use McConnell or convert one of our other forwards."
He has ruled out entering the transfer market for an emergency hooker, but might look to bring in one top-class newcomer on loan in time to play in another position in the play-offs.
London Broncos say there is still a chance that they will retain two of their Australian forwards, Shane Millard and Justin Dooley, for next season. The pair have been told that they are not to have their current contracts extended, but the club's chief executive, Lionel Hurst, says that they may yet be offered new deals.
"We are reviewing everything at the club, so it was only fair to keep them informed," said Hurst.
The two Bradford players who have been with London on loan, Paul Sykes and Robert Parker, are to stay with the team until the end of the season.
The Great Britain forward, Adrian Morley, could return ahead of schedule, six weeks after breaking his arm, for the Sydney Roosters' game against the Brisbane Broncos on the weekend.
That would be welcome news for the Great Britain coach, David Waite, who tomorrow plans to name Morley in a 32-man squad to prepare for this autumn's Ashes series against Australia.
Britain's young players have continued their good work in the southern hemisphere, with the Under-16 team beating South East Queensland 32-20 at Carina.
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