Whitehaven will be without injured forward Scott McAvoy for their Northern Rail Cup opener at home to Batley Bulldogs on Sunday.

Coach Ged Stokes has doubts over winger Craig Calvert (groin) but is hopeful that hooker Graeme Mattinson (calf) will figure.

"We're very hopeful because it seems to have eased for him," said Stokes.

"We got a few knocks on Sunday but the only real concern would be Craig Calvert with a groin strain."

Haven were finalists in the 2007 Northern Rail Cup final but were beaten 54-6 in the final at Blackpool's Bloomfield Road.

The current season begins with the visit of fellow Championship outfit Batley, and Stokes admitted that Karl Harrison's side pose a decent threat for his squad.

They've always been resilient but last year they proved that they can beat anyone. Ged Stokes on Batley

"They're a team that has improved markedly in terms of the way that they play," he said.

"They've always been resilient but last year they proved that they can beat anyone.

"We know it's going to be tough but we feel that it will be a good, even contest and that's what you want at this time of the year."

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