Whitehaven coach James Coyle is today considering his selection options after giving his battered troops time off ahead of the Championship Shield programme.

Coyle held his first training session last night and was anxious to check on the progress made by half a dozen players sidelined through injury.

“Including the Widnes lads, who were not available for the last game against Sheffield, I had 11 players who could not be selected,” said Coyle.

“I am hoping that a good number of those will be able to play their part in the Championship Shield games. Getting them back will give everyone a lift.”

Long-term absentees Elliott Miler and Carl Forster are nearing a return to action after both underwent surgery on shoulder problems.

The more recent injury victims include John Paul Brocklebank, Jessi Joe Parker, Louis Jouffret, Sam Brooks and Liam Carberry, while Thomas Coyle has batted through the pain barrier in recent matches when he should only have been a spectator.

The Whitehaven players had last week off after completing their Championship fixtures with the 32-14 home defeat by the Eagles.

They resume on Sunday (2pm) with the first of three home games in the Shield when they have troubled Bradford Bulls as visitors to the Recreation Ground.

The players and staff were still waiting to be paid yesterday as the club’s financial problems appear to escalate.

Bradford actually opened the regulation season for the Recreation Ground back in February. The Bulls won 46-10 and a month ago went on to complete the double with a runaway 64-18 win at Odsal.