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.
Head-to-head: Travis Burns v Kevin Brown
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.
Widnes form guide
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.
Josh Hodgson: We've recharged the batteries JOSH Hodgson believes having last weekend off will benefit Hull KR when they face in-form Widnes. While the Vikings were beating Salford 30-20 to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup, Rovers were not in action because of their early exit. Despite wanting to be involved in the cup, the KR hooker hopes the free week will work in their favour ahead of tomorrow's home clash. "Personally, I feel good," he told the Mail. "It's been a tough Easter period but Sandy gave a few of us who have played a lot of minutes a bit of time off. "It was good to recharge the batteries and get ready to go again. "We know this weekend will be a tough game against Widnes. "They have been playing really well and they play with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. "At the minute they are one of the in-form sides in Super League." Denis Betts' side are currently fifth, five points behind leaders Leeds Rhinos with a game in hand, after winning six of their nine league games so far this season. And Hodgson has seen enough of them this season to know they deserve to be in the mix at the top end of the Super League table. "I'm not surprised they have won as many games as they have," he said. "They have good players in their squad. As soon as you've got the spine of the team and they play well, then you'll do well as a team. "They are good at completing their sets and they look to be playing well alongside each other. "Their forwards are looking really good and the big lads have been going really well. "They have definitely set the platform for them with the outside backs to play off the back of that. "I'm sure Jon Clarke, Kevin Brown and Danny Craven thrive off playing behind the back that has some momentum behind them." Hodgson's duel with the experienced Clarke will be one of the key match-ups at the KC Lightstream Stadium tomorrow. But the joint captain hopes he can get his side's completion rate up to the 85 per cent mark, which he feels will go some way to sealing a win. "Jon Clarke has a lot of experience and he has a good kicking game," Hodgson added. "He's very skilful and it will be a good contest. "Our completion rate needs to be higher because that's what Widnes do. Hopefully, we can put into practice some of the things we have been working on."
