A CANCER patient who found out from a hospital cleaner his potentially life-saving operation was cancelled has finally had surgery.

The Mail revealed on Wednesday how Dave Sheppard, 69, needed more surgery after learning his cancer had spread, despite an operation to remove a tumour from his kidney in November.

After his operation was cancelled the first time, he went into Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham on Friday, April 25 to undergo surgery on his prostate. But he was left in a pre-op room for ten hours before he was eventually found by a hospital cleaner, who advised him he would probably have to go home.

The cleaner returned almost an hour later with a nurse, who confirmed the news.

But following months of turmoil, Mr Sheppard received a personal call from a Castle Hill surgeon on Thursday and he underwent his operation last night.

His wife, Jacky said: "We are just so relieved. Hopefully now Dave will be rid of cancer. We received a call from the surgeon himself, which is unheard of by all accounts.

"He called after the Hull Daily Mail told our story and we are delighted with the response. We really are over the moon and hopefully this will be the end of it."

It is hoped Mr Sheppard can now enjoy the arrival of his 19th grandchild, who was born this week.

Before yesterday's operation, family members said Mr Sheppard had lost the will to live after a "string of blunders" at Castle Hill.

He lost 5st in three months after he was diagnosed with kidney cancer last year.

Mrs Sheppard criticised the hospital for letting the family down time and time again.

They claim doctors told them Mr Sheppard would undergo an operation on his prostate within six weeks to reduce the risk of the disease spreading further.

But they heard nothing from doctors for five weeks.

Mrs Sheppard called the hospital and was told she would hear back soon.

She says that call never came either and she was forced to call the hospital again on January 12.

Mr Sheppard was given a slot at Castle Hill, in Cottingham, on March 25.

But less than 24 hours before the scheduled surgery, the hospital called the couple to say the operation had been cancelled.

A letter followed within the week, rescheduling for April 25.

With the letter were Dave's medical notes, which stated: "Operation must not be cancelled again under any circumstances."

Last night, Mrs Sheppard was waiting to greet her husband after the operation.

She said: "I can't wait to see him. He was so low before and had completely given up on life, so I'm really hoping this makes him feel better about life again.

"Hopefully, he will be clear of cancer and he can enjoy his retirement.

"Our latest grandchild has been born and we have plenty more to be having fun with, too."

Mr Sheppard's father, Tom, was one of the crew members who died on Hull trawler the Gaul, which was lost in 1974.

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PRESSURE is beginning to tell towards the bottom of the Premier League, and teams are beginning to panic. But not Hull City. They have quietly gone about their business and haven't really looked in danger at any time during the season.

One point is all that's needed to secure top-flight football for another year and, for me, Steve Bruce must field his strongest side possible before they are mathematically safe and over the line.

There's been a lot of talk about the FA Cup final and whether Matty Fryatt and Sone Aluko should be getting a start ready for their expected involvement in it.

However, the team that takes the field today I am sure will include Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long, and rightly so.

Scoring two vital goals last week at Fulham, they will not want to be overlooked as the Tigers inch ever closer to the finish line.

You could see they were hungry to get on the ball being 2-0 down, and they were unstoppable at Craven Cottage towards the end of that game. City need the same desire from the pair this afternoon at Villa Park, which is a very tough place to go.

With safety almost there, the FA Cup is now probably in the back of most of the squad's minds. But Bruce can't afford to have £14m sat on the bench to give game-time to the eligible players.

Having said that, the likes of Aluko, Fryatt and Yannick Sagbo will be itching to get on the field as much as possible before the Wembley showpiece on May 17.

George Boyd and Maynor Figueroa will also be looking to impress before travelling South to face Arsenal, as they know they have a few wrongs to right when they take to the Wembley pitch for a second time.

It only takes a few results this weekend to not go your way, and the Tigers could well be looking over their shoulder again. They won't want to be doing that when they are in such a great position to secure their top-flight status today.

Football is a squad game, and City can be thankful they have strength in depth, especially up front in attack.

Switching focus back to today's clash, City will go to a Villa side that hasn't exactly pulled up any trees this season. It's not hard to see why either. They are looking like relegation candidates, especially after their 4-1 loss at Swansea last week.

Paul Lambert is under pressure at the club to deliver, and will look towards the experienced and speedy Gabby Agbonlahor to pierce the Tigers' defence.

However, City's back-line has been the key to their success this season as much as the strikers who were signed in January have been.

On the flip side, Villa's weakness is their back-line, and I think Long could be in line for a field-day running at the Villa defenders. His speed was there to witness against Fulham and he'll do the same again.

What City can't do is take Villa as lightly as they did the Cottagers.

A draw will be enough for the Tigers and while they'll be going all out for the three points, I think a draw, and survival, is on the cards.

It has been a record-breaking season for the Tigers, and no-one could have predicted the success in the FA Cup before a ball was kicked.

It's a huge achievement for the players and the club in general, and I'm sure they'll be wanting to toast a fantastic season by lifting a trophy.

But there'll be a few toasts on Wednesday night when the club host their Player of the Year awards.

For me, there is only one winner who is bound to run away with the big honour, and that's Curtis Davies.

He's taken the responsibility of the captaincy role and led by example at the back for City this season time and time again.

Davies will be the first to tell you that he's not great on the ball, but it's his pace and aerial presence that makes him stand head and shoulders above anyone else.

Tom Huddlestone is another that's wowed the Tigers fans this season. He's had a dip in form – which I'll put down to losing his hair – but proved time and time again how valuable he is to have in the squad.

David Meyler has made a few headlines for some of the wrong reasons this campaign, but he's not let the Alan Pardew incident affect his game. He's banged in some crucial goals for City and he'd be in my top three for sure.

However, the sideshow to the Premier League is the talk of the town, and City's cup heroes should be honoured with some kind of award.

The likes of Matty Fryatt, who continues to plug away and give his all despite not being played in the league, have proven their worth.

He won't win Player of the Year, but a special mention should go to him on the night.

The beauty of the FA Cup is that you can give your fringe players some vital game time, and City have shown that with the right balance in the squad, anybody can go on and achieve great things like they have.

• Aston Villa v Hull City: Team news and preview

CURTIS Davies would be well advised to make room on his mantelpiece ahead of awards week at the KC Stadium. Silverware, and lots of it, is coming his way.

The central defender will be a red-hot favourite to end his first season with Hull City by succeeding Ahmed Elmohamady as the club's Player of the Season on Wednesday evening. The players' vote, a more coveted prize within the dressing room, should be another accolade with his name on it.

By the time Davies has collected an inevitable haul of trophies from the Official Supporters Club function, immediately after next Sunday's visit of Everton, he will either need assistance or a wheelbarrow getting home.

It has been one of those seasons. For all the star performers found within the City camp – most notably Tom Huddlestone, Jake Livermore, David Meyler and Elmohamady – there appears to be only one winner of the individual prizes.

Starting all but one of City's 35 Premier League games this season, Davies has been the outstanding performer in Steve Bruce's side. The £2.25m fee that brought him from Birmingham last July can seldom have felt better spent.

There is time for things to get even better should Davies lead City up the Wembley steps as an FA Cup final winner two weeks today, but already there is a rightful sense of satisfaction at the events.

"The first thing I think of this season is that we're almost safe in the Premier League," said Davies, who returns to former club Aston Villa targeting a point that would guarantee survival.

"I could have had the same performances with us in 20th and I wouldn't have wanted that. The important thing was always to stay in the league.

"Individually, I've just been happy to be consistent. You can sometimes have those games when you reach a nine out of ten, but then you drop down to a six. I think I've managed to keep myself at a good level throughout the season.

"That's my biggest thing. Doing it in the Championship (with Birmingham) was one thing but it's a different gravy in the Premier League. You're up against international players every week. To do well in this league is a massive honour."

So what has changed? What has fallen into place with City?

"It's the experience I hold now," Davies answered. "The last time I was a regular in the Premier League was 2008-09. You're talking five years on and the experiences of being left out, not playing, injuries, they all make you a stronger character as a person.

"I don't think I ever needed to rebuild my reputation in the Championship but it did make me want it more."

A flawless season has been Davies' second coming in the Premier League. A player once called up for England at the age of 23 witnessed his career tumble into a four-year decline and today he returns to where the slide first began.

Despite taking his career to heights he has never since enjoyed, finishing the 2008-09 season sixth in the Premier League, a fall from grace under Martin O'Neill and Gerard Houllier brought his exit in January 2011.

The Blues' demise, one that could continue with relegation to League One this lunchtime, presented two seasons in the Championship and not until Steve Bruce tossed a lifeline last summer was Davies returned to a stage where he feels at home. A Villa reunion offers a sense of perspective.

"It was ups and downs but the majority of it was disappointment really," said Davies, who cost Villa £12m when moving from West Brom.

"It started really well, I managed to get in Fabio Capello's first squad after 12 games, but then I did my Achilles.

"I worked myself back from that to start the majority of games (in 2008-09) and that was massive for me.

"I felt ready to kick on again but obviously I did my shoulder and then the signings of (Richard) Dunne and (James) Collins was the last nail in the coffin for my Villa career.

"That was a very frustrating time but it was one of those things I can look back on as character building.

"I was a spare part but it rejuvenated my love for the game. It's only when you miss it that you realise what it means to play regular football."

Davies was jeered when the two sides met for a dour 0-0 draw at the KC Stadium in early October, vilified for his move on to Villa's rivals Birmingham.

"I've never been back to Villa Park. It wouldn't have been a clever idea to go back when I was a Birmingham player but this is the first time I've been up against them. It'll be interesting to go and see the old place.

"When Villa were up here there was a murmur of boos. It wasn't as strong as when West Brom were here, that's for sure.

"I expect that again. A lot of it is pantomime, just to get a reaction. But usually the reaction from me is to do well against my former teams."

Davies will be back through familiar corridors as part of a side with little in the way of pressure today. It would need a Norwich win at Chelsea tomorrow for the Tigers to be in any threat of danger but Villa, two points worse off, are much less comfortable.

Away games at Manchester City and Tottenham have dragged a natural emphasis upon their final home game of the season and Davies anticipates an anxious afternoon.

"If you'd said to me at the start of the season that Villa would be down there scrapping to stay in the league I'd have laughed at you, but the fact we've both got a job to do will make it a tense game," he added. "It's huge for them. They know they're not safe yet. With the last two games they've got, against Tottenham and Man City, some of my Villa mates have said to me they fear the worst. For us it's about going there and doing a job. Hopefully, the nervous tension their fans bring will play in our favour."

• Aston Villa v Hull City: Team news and preview

North Ferriby United boss Billy Heath has urged his side to be patient in today's all-or-nothing play-off semi-final second leg against Guiseley.

Trailing 2-0 following Wednesday's first leg, Heath remains confident his side can overturn that deficit and reach the final.

Although he wants to see how Guiseley react to going a goal down, which will bring the tie to life, he will be happy to wait until the second half to put the pressure on.

"An early goal would be fantastic, but we have to be patient," Heath told the Mail. "If we score the first goal of the game in the 55th minute, so be it.

"As long as we give ourselves enough time to complete the comeback.

"I want to see how they deal with us scoring the first goal, because away from home, they will have a lot of pressure to handle.

"I know we can turn this tie around and reach next weekend's final but we need to score the first goal."

The importance of the first goal in any game is crucial, but even more so today when the stakes are as high as they are.

When Ferriby have scored the first goal, they have taken 69 points from a possible 87.

If the goals don't come today, Ferriby's season is over.

Even a 1-0 victory won't be enough to see Ferriby through to the final, but Heath is urging his side to win the game and see where it takes them.

"If our season is to end here, I don't want it to end on a whimper," added Heath.

"If it is our last game, I want to see a full-blooded performance from the first minute to the last.

"We won't be going gung-ho at the start, but we will be giving it one hell of a go."

Striker Ryan Kendall is all but ruled out while midfielder Liam King is a doubt because of knocks picked up at Guiseley on Wednesday night.

"I was tempted to start with all three strikers, but it would take a miracle for Ryan to play," Heath said.

"It's not an ideal situation for us ahead of such a big game, but we have Anthony Wilson back and he will start.

"Danny Clarke shouldn't have played on Wednesday because he was ill and Danny Emerton played most of the game with a leg injury.

"Gregg Anderson was on the bench but it's a massive risk playing him because he is just back from shoulder surgery. But that shows the spirit within this group of players."

• ADMISSION is £10 and £5 for concessions. Fans cannot use season passes and everybody must pay at the gate.

Car parking will be available at North Ferriby Primary School from 12.30pm. Stewards will be on hand to direct drivers. There is a parking charge of £2 which will go to the School's funds.

WHERE is Hednesford? That was the question asked by the Guiseley fans after their side had beaten North Ferriby 2-0 in Wednesday night's play-off semi-final first leg. If they'd been true fans and followed their side all season long, they'd know Hednesford was near Cannock in Staffordshire. But it just shows how confident the Guiseley camp are about reaching the Conference North play-off final.

They clearly have written Billy Heath's boys off, which is a very dangerous thing to do.

Okay, Ferriby have to win today's game by three clear goals to host next Saturday's play-off final against either Altrincham or Hednesford, but Ferriby have won by three clear goals or more 10 times this season, including 4-0 wins over Conference sides Woking and Lincoln City in the FA Trophy.

With goals required, today would be a great time for Heath to start with his three prolific strikers. Nathan Jarman (30), Anthony Wilson (22) and Ryan Kendall (15) have scored 67 goals between them.

Heath admits only a miracle will see Kendall play any part this afternoon, so the emphasis looks like it is on Jarman and Wilson.

Wilson made a positive impact to Ferriby when he replaced Kendall on Wednesday and Ferriby fans should be encouraged going into this all or nothing game. Jarman and Wilson's partnership has contributed 38 goals this season. When they have started games, Ferriby have won 62 per cent of the 29 matches.

Jarman had a quiet game on Wednesday night, but the stage is set for him to grab the goals to send the Villagers through to the final.

Guiseley have beaten Ferriby three times this season, but it would be typical of Ferriby to win the one that really matters. Then the Guiseley fans won't care where the final is.

THIS is it, we're 90 minutes away from the play-off final, writes Ferriby's Nathan Jarman. What a season it's been, and let's hope we can extend it one more week.

We're at home so that should make a hell of a difference with a crowd of over 1,000 expected. We need goals today and as a striker it's us who will get the majority of chances.

That doesn't add to the pressure already on me. It's all or nothing today and we know if we don't perform our season will be over.

We didn't create too many chances against Guiseley on Wednesday night when the final ball let us down. But we know we can do better when we click and I feel we will.

At the other end, a clean-sheet is imperative. I was annoyed with the goals we conceded in the first leg and if we are to have any chance of reaching the final we need a clean-sheet.

It's been well documented that we have played nine more games than Guiseley this season and that has shown in the last four weeks of the season. But I'm not making excuses and we will be giving it all we can.

Winning promotion with North Ferriby would be the best thing I've ever achieved in my career. It would be even better than winning promotion with Chester last season because Ferriby don't have the same budget as Chester.

To score the winning goal today to get us to next week's final would be just as good. If we are to host the final next Saturday, we are going to have to work their keeper more than we did on Wednesday.

We didn't throw enough in the box for him to handle. He's not the tallest keeper and with Anthony Wilson back in the side, he may just find him hard to deal with.

A FORMER youth club worker who tried to persuade a schoolgirl to have sex with him has been sent on a course to help him find a partner his own age. Adam Douglas, 19, met the girl at an East Riding youth club where he worked and began contacting her through Facebook and text messages.

After she had rejected one request to have sex with him in a particular way, he replied: "Please, please, let me. Come on, try new things."

Douglas initially denied inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and other offences and stood trial in January, but the jury was discharged after being unable to decide whether he was guilty or not.

He later admitted the incitement charge and was sentenced to a three-year supervised community order, which requires him to attend the Northumbria Sex Offenders Group Programme.

Douglas, of Maister Cottages, High Street, Easington, must also sign the Sex Offenders' Register for five years.

Sentencing Douglas at Hull Crown Court yesterday, Judge Mark Bury told him: "You are a young man who lives at home, you have the support of your parents and you are, for the most part, a well-adjusted young man.

"You have a job and you have held a job for some time now.

"The only flaw in your personality, it may be, is your inability to form intimate relationships with people of your own age, and that's what's going to be looked at by the programme requirement I'm about to impose."

The judge said the order would teach him what he should do to try to form relationships, and "more importantly", what he should not.

But Judge Bury warned Douglas: "Don't by any means think you have been let off, because you haven't.

"If you breach any of those orders then you will be in breach and that will mean custody, because I'm going to reserve any breaches of those orders to myself and I know what I'm minded to do should I see you in the dock again.

"This is a chance you are getting and it's your last chance."

The court heard Douglas was 18 at the time of the offence, while the girl was "nearer 15 than 16".

One night, at about 1am while her parents were in bed, he sent the girl a message asking her to go on her webcam, which she did.

Douglas appeared on the screen covered by a quilt and said he was going to take it off because he was hot.

The girl thought he would be wearing boxer shorts, but he was naked and exposing himself when he took the duvet off.

Judge Bury said he had encouraged the girl to go on the webcam to see him naked.

He told Douglas: "You denied it, but that's the basis of the prosecution and that's the basis I'm going to sentence you on."

He said Douglas had been aware of the girl's age when he committed the offence.

"She was nearer 15 than 16 and you were aware of that and she felt your behaviour was upsetting enough to make a formal complaint when she had the option of not doing," he said.

At his trial, Douglas denied sending the messages and claimed his friends had been using his Facebook account. Two other charges of sexual activity with a child, relating to a different girl, were ordered to remain on file.

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THE family of baby girl have spoken of their relief after her latest cancer test results came back clear.

Macie Allen, now six months, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when she was just 20 days old.

She underwent two months of intensive treatment, including gruelling rounds of chemotherapy.

Her family were given the news they were praying for in January when doctors at Leeds General Infirmary confirmed tumours on Macie's liver had disappeared.

A further check-up this week found the cancer has not returned.

Macie's mum, Helen, of west Hull, said: "We went for Macie's three-month check at Leeds on Monday and the doctors are really pleased with her progress.

"It was such a relief when they said everything was ok.

"Her spleen and liver are still really big but are working.

"The doctors couldn't believe how much she has grown."

Macie will continue to have three-monthly checks at Leeds General Infirmary. She also has blood tests done every month at Hull Royal Infirmary.

Helen said: "It is very reassuring that the hospitals keep an eye on Macie should anything happen, but they seem really pleased with her progress.

"She is such a funny little girl, she is sitting up now.

"We recently bought her a Jumperoo (baby bouncer) and she absolutely loves it."

Fundraising for Macie is continuing, should she relapse in the future and need treatment abroad. Hull man Shaun Gowan is taking part in a sponsored slim to raise funds, while Helen and family friend Jackie Beaumont are planning to take part in a sponsored sky dive later this year.

Helen said: "We are just so thankful to everyone who has raised money for Macie.

"The support we have received has been overwhelming.

"We are just so glad to have Macie home with her family. Charlie, her older brother, loves her to bits. He thinks she is the best little sister.

"He always kisses her before she goes to bed and as soon as he gets in from school he wants to give her a cuddle."

Helen had a healthy pregnancy but a few days after giving birth, she noticed Macie's tummy was swollen.

A scan revealed a cancerous growth on Macie's liver and she was sent straight to Leeds General Infirmary for treatment.

She was eventually allowed home to spend Christmas with her family.

Helen said: "Macie will have to have regular check-ups for another five years until she officially gets the all-clear.

"We just dream that one day that will happen."

HE HAS steadily climbed the ranks to become Hull's top police officer.

Chief Superintendent Scott Young became one of few officers to have held every police rank in the city when he was appointed divisional commander last month.

He may now be the last holder of the job, after Humberside Police chief constable Justine Curran announced the force would no longer be divided by geographic areas.

Instead, it will be split into five functional areas, each headed by a chief superintendent. At present, none of those have been assigned to Chief Supt Young, although three will be run by officers that could retire at any time.

However, he says he is concentrating on his current role rather than any future plans.

"I am relishing the challenge, having taken the reins at a time when there is significant change for the force," he said.

"This is a challenging time because of the economic impact and I am also preparing my officers, partners and the community for a transition."

One of the biggest challenges he is facing is rising crime in the city, which has gone up for the first time in ten years. Before becoming divisional commander, he was head of CID for Hull and responsible for crime figures.

However, the latest numbers show overall crime went up by 11.1 per cent between April last year and March this year.

"Hull is a challenging place to work," he said.

"We have the economic demands of the force as well as challenging social and welfare issues in the city.

"My priority this year is clearly to reduce crime, which I hope to do by reducing reoffending and addressing those who commit the most crime.

"I also want to see us improving the quality of service for our victims, ensuring they have a voice.

"We are using new powers, such as community resolutions, to ensure there is swifter justice on the streets and make sure the punishment absolutely fits the crime."

Chief Supt Young joined the force in 1994 as a constable working between Hull and the East Riding, before becoming a detective in the city, where he rose through every rank.

Much of his 20-year career has been spent in CID, although there have also been stints in intelligence and neighbourhood policing.

It is unclear what his next move will be after the three geographical areas currently dividing the force are merged.

Chief Constable Curran has decided to scrap the divisions as part of her Change programme, which aims to save £30m over the next five years. As part of the changes, 200 officers and up to 600 staff will leave the force.

However, Chief Supt Young does not think the change will have a negative impact on the city, and could potentially see more officers coming to Hull.

The city accounts for almost half of all crime recorded in Humberside Police.

"Moving away from geographical boundaries will allow the force to strip away the invisible barriers to the way we continue to police," he says.

"Our resources can be more effectively placed where there is the greatest demand.

"The opportunity to move away from territorial policing will also allow the right resources to be sent the first time which offers a better quality of service to the public and a more efficient system.

"Therefore, it is absolutely the right thing to do. This is a real opportunity regardless of the economic state to move Humberside Police forward to a more effective service.

"I don't have a crystal ball, but I don't anticipate a reduced service at all."

At the same time, he believes the city's success in securing the Siemens wind turbine factory and UK City of Culture 2017 status could lead to falling crime rates.

"We are in a good place," said Chief Supt Young.

"It is an exciting time to be in Hull at the moment and I absolutely feel we can achieve great things over the next few years."

IN A year's time, it will be all change for Chief Superintendent Judi Heaton.

Currently in charge of policing the East Riding, she will become head of the communities command for the entire force when the geographical divisions are scrapped next year.

Her role will include managing neighbourhood policing teams, crime prevention work, customer service and the force's "triage" schemes.

"It is a vast mix of functions," said Chief Supt Heaton.

"I want to focus not just on what we do but how we do it. We have got shrinking budgets and we need to get better.

"Sometimes it is things that are free and don't take much time that can make a big difference to people.

"It is about looking at what we do already, looking for improvements and organising ourselves."

Part of Chief Supt Heaton's role could involve people making appointments to see police officers, rather than waiting for them at home.

"Most people don't need us immediately," she said.

"It is thinking about how we see people and when. It should be better because it will be more bespoke."

Chief Supt Heaton said she believes splitting the force into functional areas rather than geographical areas will make it more efficient.

"The fact we have to save a lot of money is not the only reason we are doing this, but it has given us the opportunity to take a good, hard look at ourselves and how we can do things better."

LEE Radford has cast off any suggestions Hull FC's clash with Wakefield on Sunday is a home banker, insisting Richard Agar's men pose a real threat.

The Wildcats arrive at the KC Stadium on the back of a six-match losing streak and rooted firmly in a relegation battle.

For Hull, the game provides an opportunity to string back-to-back wins together for the first time this year.

Expectation and form indicate a comfortable home win, but Radford is adamant it won't be so easy for his men.

"It's going to be a really tough game. When you look at their side, there is some real quality there and then you look at their results and it tells a different story," said Radford.

"We know Rich will want to beat his old club and there are a lot of Hull connections in their squad.

"Their recruitment was done really late which will have affected their pre-season, so I am sure Rich will be pleased he's had two weeks to work with the players for this game. It's going to be a tough game I imagine.

"We are expecting a response from them and they will benefit from the week off they have had."

Hull have also benefited from a two-week gap between games because of the cup exit, with Radford using the time to freshen up his players and work on some key areas.

"Defensively, we are conceding on average 16 points a game and we'd like to bring that down slightly, but we have the third best defensive record in the competition," he added.

"Attacking with the ball we look enterprising, so we have just got to keep maintaining that and improve it too."

Craig Sandercock knows his Hull KR side will need to be at their best to beat Widnes on Sunday and says he is not at all surprised by the Vikings' superb start to the season.

Denis Betts' team have been one of Super League's stand-out sides after just three defeats in their nine games and have a Challenge Cup quarter-final against Keighley to look forward to next month.

He said: "I'm not really surprised by the start Widnes have made. I thought last season they showed considerable improvement. They have a good solid side and they do the little things well.

"They execute their plays well and they complete their sets very well. They don't make many errors and if you can do that, you will be there or thereabouts in most games.

"Full credit to them, they are playing really well."

Sandercock knows Rovers will have to contain Widnes play-maker Kevin Brown if they are to achieve a positive result tomorrow.

"Kevin looks to be in career-best form," he said. "You can see why Kevin wanted to join Widnes and why Denis Betts wanted him. We are going to have to be at our best to beat them."

If there was a poll for Hull FC's player of the season over the opening three months, there would likely be several contenders.

But while captain Gareth Ellis has been outstanding in games and the likes of Jamie Shaul have sparkled at times, nobody has managed to match Joe Westerman's consistency.

The loose forward is playing his best rugby since arriving at Hull, revelling in the responsibility and role handed to him by Lee Radford.

For those that place an emphasis on statistics, Westerman's record on tackles made, carries and metres made puts him high in the top 10 in Super League.

But more than that, his presence and involvement has been vital with much more of Hull's attack coming through Westerman's hands.

Danny Washbrook plays in a slightly different style for the Wildcats, but is also a key part of their defence and attack.

The former Hull man has been employed in a more wide role recently after an injury to Ali Lauitiiti, but could be back at loose forward tomorrow.

Washbrook has been an important figure for Wakefield since his arrival and continues to be one of their more consistent performers.

His battle against Westerman will be intriguing.

HULL KR: Rovers coach Craig Sandercock will be spoilt for choice when naming his side for tomorrow's game. Ben Cockayne, Dave Hodgson, Kris Keating, Jonny Walker and Jamie Langley all return. Walker's return is timely given the unfortunate injury sustained by fellow prop Justin Poore, who is out for the season after breaking his knee cap in the defeat at Catalan. Sandercock, who had the luxury of sending Greg Eden on loan to Salford, has to figure out who to leave out to accommodate the returning five.

WIDNES: After beating Salford 30-20 without Patrick Ah Van, Joe Mellor, Eamon O'Carroll and Hep Cahill, they miss out again for Widnes. However, Dave Allen and Stefan Marsh may feature.

Make no mistake, stand-offs Travis Burns and Kevin Brown will play out the most important duel tomorrow as their respective sides bid to be successful.

Rovers fans have seen a more mature Burns since being made co-captain by Craig Sandercock in the off-season. Not only has he been dependable, he has shown great capability, including in the thrilling 21-20 derby win against old enemies Hull FC.

Having quickly repaid the faith shown in him by his coach with a string of solid performances, he will be looking to prove the game-breaker against the in-form Vikings.

In his last five Super League matches, Burns has scored one try, had six assists and kicked two 40/20s.

Brown has scored more tries this season, as he likes to attack the line more, but both men will only be allowed to have an influence on the game if they are given time and space in the pocket by their props.

Burns has the advantage of being used to the environment at the KC Lightstream Stadium, while Brown's home games are played on the plastic iPitch which has served them well.

If Burns can get the better of Brown in this battle, KR should win. But it's up to his colleagues to provide the creative chances for him.

BEATING Salford was Widnes' eighth win from 11 games this season. That form has helped them to sit fifth in the table and earn a place in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

All three of the defeats the Vikings have suffered have come on the road at Leeds, Catalan and Warrington. So, Rovers will fancy their chances of making that four at the KC Lightstream Stadium.

Before knocking Salford out of the Challenge Cup last weekend, Widnes went toe-to-toe to beat St Helens 40-26 on Easter Monday to signal their intent on being successful this season.

Bruce has previously told the Mail: "I'd like to do it the real way and that's beating Arsenal in the Cup final because then you don't have to go through all the qualifiers.

"If you get there as runners-up you could be looking at starting your season at the end of July I believe.

"It could be very difficult if we're playing at the end of July. That's what it would be like if we went that route."