Heaton, the former Widnes back rower, has been sidelined for several weeks with a knee problem that required minor surgery.

The 27-year-old has also been caught in the spotlight of controversy off the field, receiving a suspended prison sentence at Warrington Crown Court after pleading guilty to assaulting his girlfriend.

And on-loan Leeds Rhinos threequarter Ratu has not played since Fax's round three defeat against Celtic Crusaders after sustaining a minor knee ligament tear.

"They're both back in full training but they need to get some game time under their belts," said Fax boss Matt Calland, who will be aiming to guide his side to the summit of National League One when they meet the Rams' senior side on Sunday.

"Mike's had a grade one tear, which is basically the same injury Jon Goddard had in pre season, and Danny's had a bit of a clean out on his knee.

"It's good to have them available again and we will see how they go tonight."

Former Harlequins wingman Andy Smith is also included in coach Karl Fairbank's starting 13, as well as on trial Australian half back Justin Hill.

Hill, a former Manly junior who spent 2007 playing in the Newcastle competition, will play his second game for the club after a mixed debut against Hunslet a fortnight ago.

Ratu, Heaton and Smith will all be hoping to make the cut for Sunday's senior side, and Calland admitted his biggest problem ahead of Fax's first outing since the 56-14 trouncing of Batley 10 days ago may be deciding who to leave out.

"It's a potential headache, but it's a good one to have," said Calland.

"Every successful club needs competition for places."

HALIFAX reserves: Caley; Smith, Ratu, Holroyde, Insley; Garrod, Hill; Bottom, Silcox, Fairbank, Heaton, Davis, Barlow. Subs (from): Proctor, Firth, Bottomley, Durkin, Yarker.

THE RFL have said they will tighten eligibility rules in the Challenge Cup despite deciding not to expel Hull after the Humbersiders were found to have played the ineligible Jamie Thackray in two ties.

The RFL's board of directors claim they regard the breach as a "very serious matter" but stopped short of throwing Hull out of the competition because it is not in the rules.