Last updated at 19:07, Monday, 06 July 2009

RAIDERS forward Ned Catic is set to be banned tomorrow for Sunday’s Northern Rail Cup final against Widnes.

BAN PROSPECT: Ned Catic

The Australian second rower was sent-off for using foul and abusive language in the direction of referee Ronnie Laughton in the defeat at Batley two weeks ago.

And the Rugby Football League decided the offence warranted a charge, with his disciplinary committee hearing taking place tomorrow.

Catic is set to receive a ban, which would come into effect immediately and see him miss Sunday’s cup showpiece with the Vikings at Blackpool’s Bloomfield Road and Barrow have no possibility of appealing before the final.

The recommendation is for a ban of one to four games, though the committee can decide to impose a punishment outside those parameters, with coach Dave Clark accepting he is going to be without Catic for at least one game.

“We’ve found out last night that he is unavailable no matter what,” said Clark.

“We can’t even appeal. If we appeal, he still sees his sentence out until the appeal is heard. If he gets banned on Tuesday night, we can’t appeal for him to play on Sunday.

“There’s nothing we can do – he won’t be playing unless a miracle happens with the RFL.”

The committee will consider Catic’s previous record and the 30-year-old faced a similar charge when playing for Castleford in Super League last season.This year he was put on report for an incident of tripping against Whitehaven, but the case did not reach the hearing stage as it was decided the penalty awarded against him in the game was sufficient punishment.

Catic was one of Barrow’s biggest signings in the close-season, having played Super League for Castleford and Wakefield in recent seasons.He has teamed up well with Liam Harrison and James Nixon on the left flank when he has been included in the starting line-up.

Catic’s place on Sunday is set to be taken by Martin Ostler, who has recovered from a knee injury that kept him out of the defeat at Batley and last week’s win over Toulouse.

l Barrow Raiders are holding an open training session at Craven Park tonight. Supporters are invited to come down to the ground between 6pm and 8pm to show their support for the team ahead of Sunday’s final.

Fans will be given the chance to play mini games with the Barrow players and mix with the squad that will play on Sunday.

“We’ll get them all involved. We’re trying to create the atmosphere and get everyone involved this week,” added Clark.

First published at 11:37, Monday, 06 July 2009
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk