ETU Uiasele is praying he will be given permission to play for Sheffield Eagles in tomorrow’s Championship play-off semi-final against his parent club Featherstone.

The imposing Tongan winger or centre, who will join the Bulls on a two-year deal next season, has enjoyed a hugely successful spell with Mark Aston’s side since arriving on loan in July.

He has scored eight tries in as many games for the Eagles in a winning surge that has taken them to within 80 minutes of a fourth successive Grand Final.

But the 29-year-old was denied permission to play against Rovers in a league game last month and faces possible heartbreak tomorrow.

Uiasele told the T&A: “It’s going to be hard if I’m not allowed to play because I just want to be out there and help the boys get to the Grand Final at Headingley.

“I just want to carry on what I’ve been doing but Mark said it could be as late as Sunday when I find out.

“I think the loan arrangement was that I am playing at Sheffield until the end of the year.

“I didn’t play against them in the league game, they didn’t let me, but I’m not sure what will happen with this match.”

The former NRL star, who enjoyed spells Down Under with Parramatta Eels and Penrith Panthers, has been given a new lease of life following his mid-season move to Sheffield.

He credits the influence of Aston and Eagles assistant coach Keith Senior for his rich run of form.

Uaisele explained: “I’ve really fitted into their style of free-flowing play and Mark has got the best out of me.

“He’s just told me to go out there and play and training has been great.

“I thought it might be a bit weird going in somewhere mid-season but the boys have welcomed me from day one.

“I played on the wing in the NRL and in the centre for Tonga but this year I’ve started to feel comfortable in the centres and learnt a lot about the position.

“Keith Senior has given me a lot of tips and I have definitely learnt more about playing centre with him coaching me.

“I used to loved watching Keith play and that’s why it has been so good to get some tips off him.

“Going into Sheffield, it looked like they were heading for relegation.

“Mark said ‘look, we either go this way or the other’. Thankfully we’ve turned it around and done everything we could.

“Now we are in the semi-finals and on the brink of reaching the Grand Final. As everyone can see, I’m enjoying my footie again and that’s what I wanted to do.”

Should Sheffield progress in tomorrow evening’s match at the Big Fellas Stadium, Uiasele could feature in the Grand Final on October 5 – two days before the Bulls convene for their first chunk of pre-season training.

“All I know is that I’m scheduled to be at Bradford on October 7 and I’m going to be there,” he said.

“Even if we reach the Grand Final and I end up playing in it, I’ll still turn up.

“I’m scheduled for two weeks’ training at Bradford in October before coming back in November.

“I’m not sure when I’ll have a break, but I’ve had a few problems with my hamstrings so I have to manage it properly and ensure it doesn’t get any worse.

“It’s going to be tough getting into the team every week with the squad we have but it’s a challenge and that’s what you want.

“We will all be doing our best for the club to try and get back into Super League.

“I know Adam Henry really well and I played against Jake Mullaney a couple of times back in Australia. I think we’re going to have a good chance of going up next year.”