BRADFORD Salem chairman Neil Klenk thinks that Dan Scarbrough could draw a line under his days as a club player.

The former England international has recovered from the injury that led to him being put in a neck brace and taken off the pitch on a stretcher last week during Salem’s 34-7 defeat against Keighley at Shay Lane.

However, Klenk said: “It is early days after the injury, but, apart from playing Masters rugby, I think that could be it for Dan. He is 40 next month and has a young family.”

Scarbrough apart, Salem will also be without winger Jake Abram for the trip to bottom-of-the-table Selby in Yorkshire Division One.

He was sent off after the final whistle last weekend for referee abuse and his hearing will be on Thursday, January 25.

Tomorrow has been labelled as must win, not only by last week’s skipper Harry Hall, but also by Klenk, who said: “The gap between us and the bottom two (Wheatley Hills are second from bottom) is 10 points and nine points, and if we can get that up to 20 then they would need four wins to catch us, and we aren’t going to lose all our matches.”

Keighley, who are seventh, are at home to fifth-placed Old Brodleians in another derby.

Otley, who lost locks Simon Willet (bicep) and Sam Cook (ankle) last week in their 22-21 National League Two North defeat at Chester, have Brett Mitchell and Declan Dunn in the second row for a crunch home game against Blaydon.

“Simon could be out for the season it is that serious,” said director of rugby Peter Clegg.

"I was disappointed with the result but proud of how the lads played, and we could have won it."

No 8 Freddie Watson and flanker Joe Graham return for fifth-from-bottom Otley, who are only above Blaydon on wins.

Baildon’s player-coach Robbie Hill was heartened, despite their 29-0 defeat at Yorkshire Division Three leaders Northallerton.

He said: "It was damage limitation to a degree, but there were plenty of positives, especially the display of Matty Dixon.

"However, playing at the leaders in the first game after the Christmas break was always going to be an uphill task. They have a big pack and are difficult to stop."  

The Jenny Laners are at home to Skipton in a relegation derby.

Wibsey have Richard Hall and Jimmy Rogers back for their home derby against Halifax in Yorkshire Division Four North West.

The villagers' team manager Steve Brooke said: "Bramley Phoenix are eight points behind us with a game in hand, but one win from our last three league matches should see us right for the Super Eights, especially as one is at home to Bramley."

Wibsey won five of their first six, but have lost their last three, and Brooke said: "We have been unfortunate with injuries and work commitment issues to key players.

"For example, we lost our main line-out jumper in Marcus Grimes and the man who threw the ball into him in James Brown, and we ofdten haven't been able to rotate or props like we have wanted to.

"We beat Halifax in the league at their place and they beat us in the Yorkshire Vase, so this is the decider."

Bradford Salem (at Selby): D Belcher; C Armstrong, H Hall, A Robinson, R Smith; M Booth, J Simpson; W Collins, A Veitch, G Griekis, B Whitaker, C Manchester, C Wood, C Baines, N Fontaine. Replacements: S Gardner, S Savage, C Watson.

Wibsey (home to Halifax) from: A Rose, S Birkbeck, R Hall, D Hartley, J Brown, S Foulds, D Wilkinson, S Taylor, R Taylor, L Wilson, R Simpson, K Carter, L Helliwell, A Armitage, B Wright, R Goldsborough, J Sawyer, J Rogers, J Cull, R Greenwood.