BRADFORD Salem, who only need three more points to be certain of clinching promotion from SSE Yorkshire Division Two, would seem to have a relatively straightforward test on Saturday.

The leaders are at home to second-from-bottom Sheffield Medicals, and even a draw and a bonus point would be enough to put Salem back to where they belong after four seasons away.

However, the table does not tell everything, as Salem’s first-team manager Neil Klenk is only too aware.

He said: “Medicals won 35-23 at Knottingley last Saturday, and scored five tries.

“Any team that can do that at Knottingley deserve respect as they won their first eight home matches this season, although they have now lost their last three.

“Medicals are dangerous because they play a running game with freedom, and we need to negate that early doors if we are stop them gaining in confidence.”

With it being a day for re-arranged league fixtures – this match was halted after 31 minutes at Salem on February 21 because of an injury to the referee – Salem are not at full-strength.

Former England winger Dan Scarbrough is at Twickenham helping his brother Ben celebrate his 40th birthday, as is lock John Morrell, while hooker Ali Veitch and back-rower Jamie Booth are both working.

Carl Walker comes in on the wing, Connor Malarkey forms a new centre partnership with Ryan Smith, and Simon Markey makes his seasonal starting debut at hooker, while Conor Wood switches to the back-row to partner No 8 Joe Fawcett and Rhys Green.

John Bradbury, who started in the win over West Park Leeds last weekend, is one of three on the bench.

Sixth-placed Otley will not be able to call on Joe Armitage, Declan Dunn or Harry Wales for their National League Two North home match against eighth-placed Broadstreet.

The trio are in the Yorkshire squad for their Under-20 County Championship semi-final against Cornwall at Camborne on Sunday.