Bradford & Bingley are hoping that additional fitness work can prove a catalyst in their survival bid.

The Bees are in a relegation place in SSE National League Three North but have won two of their last three matches to halve their ten-point deficit on Percy Park, who they need to pass to reach safety.

Veteran Bees fly half Phil Greaves said: “We have had some extra fitness sessions since Christmas and they are paying dividends.

“We now start each training session with 20 to 30 minutes of fitness work.

“Now we need to start playing to the game-plans that Henry (Paul) and Ronnie (Kelly) have set us.”

The Bees are at home to fifth-placed Sandal on Saturday and have Richard Scull partnering Greaves at half-back.

Greaves explained: “We want Kirk Arundale to get a bit more match fitness with the second team, who are at home to Wharfedale’s Development XV.”

Wharfedale coach Jon Feeley remains upbeat, despite his side’s continuing selection problems.

Injuries and holidays have continued to limit his options ahead of their SSE National League One home game with Hull Ionians.

The latest players to be ruled out are wingers Josh Prell and Scott Jordan, Dan Scarbrough and Phil Woodhead filling their positions.

Cleckheaton again rotate locks Grant Turton and Alex Dawson for their visit to West Hartlepool, who have won all nine of their home matches this season in SSE North One East.

Bradford Salem have lock John Morrell and prop Simon Davies back from long-term injuries for their SSE Yorkshire Division Two home match against Old Rishworthians.

Keighley have a club match at Warrington-based Moore following the postponement of their SSE Yorkshire Division One match at home to York.

The latter were due to visit Rose Cottage but their RFU Intermediate Cup game at Consett, which was called off last weekend, takes precedence.

Wharfedale (home to Hull Ionians): N Taylor; D Scarbrough, J Donkin, T Davidson, P Woodhead; T Barrett, M Dudman; C Steel, D Stockdale, J Armstrong, R Brown, J Burridge, J Barnard, R Baldwin, A Myers. Replacements (from): N Dickinson, L Cole, A Howard, A Powell, W Davidson, C Howick.

Cleckheaton (at West Hartlepool): R Hayden; M Woodhead, J Wilson, Matt Piper, James Marshall; Michael Piper, J Bickerdike; P Turner, B Thrower, C Piper, G Turton, R Piercy, R Afoa Peterson, R Piper, O Akroyd. Replacements: A Piper, A Dawson, O Depledge, C Blackburn.

Bradford & Bingley (home to Sandal): T Kanouros; J Morton, R Sheriffe, B Greaves, A Wellington; P Greaves, R Scull; R Wederall, M Cochrane, J Moss, H Jeffrey, B Mitchell, C Fisher, A Malthouse, D Cookson. Replacements: D Barden, S Hill, J Greenfield.

Bradford Salem (home to Old Rishworthians) from: D Belcher; A Sutcliffe, C Malarkey, T Barnes, A Wood; A Robinson, J Mitchell; J Bradbury, S Markey, D Luxton, A Veitch, J Ashworth, S Davies, J Cunliffe, J Morrell, R Green, J Booth, J Fawcett, D Pearson.

Keighley (at Moore): D McGee; L Carter, A Ebbrell, M Ferrazzano, S Walker; A Brown, I Woodwiss; C Spencer, W Armitage, D Smith, D Iliff, J Walker, J Hannah, S Minikin, L Sugden, Replacements: P Sinfield, O Mitchell, D Drake.