By Martin Morgan

Published at 11:35, Friday, 09 May 2008

WHITEHAVEN will know their potential Carnegie Challenge Cup quarter-final opponents BEFORE they face Wigan in the fifth round.

The last-eight draw will be broadcast live as part of the Sportsday programme, which starts at 6.45pm on Monday, on the BBC News Channel. That’s 45 minutes before Haven take the field at the JJB for their fifth round clash.

All fifth round matches were due to be completed at the weekend, but Haven agreed to play outside the time-frame as Manchester United can wrap up the Premiership title against Wigan Athletic at the JJB on Sunday.

And the Warriors, who agreed to pay compensation to Haven, did not want to damage the turf ahead of the high-profile soccer clash.

Ex-Wigan winger Martin Offiah will make the cup quarter-final draw along with representatives of the tournament partner Leeds Metropolitan University.

Despite Leroy Joe and David Fatialofa suffering broken arms in Bank Holiday Monday’s win over Leigh, Carl Sice fracturing a bone in his hand, and recent signings Andy Gorski and Tane Manihera being cup-tied, Haven boss Ged Stokes reckons he will still be able to field a strong side on Monday.

“It makes it a little easier for us with the reserve-grade going well,” Stokes said.

The BBC News Channel is available on digital TV (Channel 80 on Freeview, Sky 503, Tiscali 501 and Virgin Media 601).

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk