This weekend had been pencilled in for his return to action after suffering a chipped bone in his ankle during pre-season.

The trip to Hunslet was seen as the perfect introduction for the second-row forward who was Haven’s Player of the Year last season.

But that League One clash has now been put back to April 30 as Haven have to play their postponed Challenge Cup-tie with Oxford.

Allen had been working nicely towards his projected return on Sunday until suffering a reaction in training last week.

Coach Carl Forster said: “It just flared up after a session so we have to take care with him. It’s a long season and there’s no way we are going to rush him back until he’s fully fit.

“We will continue to monitor his progress and hope it won’t be too long before he’s able to play. He’s itching to get going again but we have to be sensible.”

Allen is Haven’s one real injury concern as gradually the squad gets clear of injuries and suspensions.

It means Forster has a few options available as he gets round to selecting his side for Sunday’s fourth round tie at the Recreation Ground against Oxford.

“In many ways we weren’t done any favours by last week’s postponement because I felt we ere just starting to build some sort of momentum.

“We’d had the two wins against West Hull and South Wales, plus a good show against the full-timers of Toronto, so we were keen to keep it going.

“It’s a tough sport and sometimes a rest does you good but maybe on this occasion it would have been good to continue playing,” said the coach.

Oxford will again be making an early start on Sunday morning for the clash at the Recreation Ground (2pm) with the winners to stage a fifth round tie against Halifax on April 23.