Fax's Barber looking for chance at centre

Tyrer will not play again this year after breaking his arm in the penultimate league fixture against Featherstone, giving boss Richard Marshall a selection headache ahead of Sunday’s Shield opener against Sheffield at the Shay (3.0).

Barber has been used as an interchange back rower for most of the season, but his last two appearances - against Swinton and London - have seen him score five tries in one and a half games at centre.

“There is a chance there, and it’s between me and a couple of other lads,” said Barber.

“I just need to keep working hard and try and take my chance.

“I can’t take it for granted.

“There’s a bit more space at centre and although I’m not the fastest if I can get outside the centre, I’m two on one with the winger.

“It makes it easier running at smaller men rather than the bigger men anyway.

“I like playing there, I do enjoy it.

“If I get 10kg off me next pre season then I might make it my position.”

Fax finished the season on a flat note, losing their last three fixtures and slipping out of contention for a top four finish and a place in the Super 8s Qualifiers.

But Barber and his teammates know that with up to nine games remaining if Fax go all the way to the final, they cannot afford to wallow in their disappointment.

“We would rather be in the Qualifiers, that’s obvious,” he said.

“But we need to get some smiles back in training over the next few weeks, stick together and get some spark and buzz back for the Shield.”