ANGRY Swinton Lions coach Mike Gregory has threatened to make wholesale changes after his side's defeat against old foes Rochdale Hornets.

The Lions went down 8-4 in a dour encounter at Gigg Lane last Sunday, their second successive defeat after opening the season with three wins on the bounce.

Gregory could call up Matt Bateman and Jimmy Evans as he considers the alterations to his line-up for Sunday's game at Widnes.

"I can't accept the way we played against Rochdale. It was our poorest performance so far this season," said Gregory.

"Maybe it's a daft call on my behalf to make big changes now, considering we play a top side like Widnes, but it needs to be done,'' he warned.

Widnes have prop Simon Knox back in contention against the Lions.

Knox missed the win over Workington with flu, but coach David Hulme is more concerned with the team's lack of an accurate goalkicker.

New signing Ian Watson, who joined the Vikings from Swinton in the close season, took over the role in his first full game for the club and could only manage one kick on target from eight attempts.

That lack of accuracy could well prove the difference between Widnes being a top four candidate by the end of the season.