Castleford ready to hand Chambers league debut

The controversial sprinter has never played either code of rugby but reported in at Super League's bottom club today to begin a month's trial and was told he could be in the team to face the Challenge Cup holders at The Jungle.

Passing through: Chambers hopes to be a success at Castleford

Chambers looked visibly shocked when told the news at a press conference this morning but the Tigers have the smallest squad in Super League and lost Mark Leafa and Kirk Dixon to injury in yesterday's 50-4 defeat at Bradford.

"He's probably 50-50 at the moment," said Matterson. "We're busted. We only had 17 players yesterday and lost two more to injury so you do the sums.

"I would say his chances of playing in the first grade are high. We have a gym session tomorrow and he can lead the way in that.

"Because of the situation we're in, we won't be doing much contact work this week."

Chambers admitted at the press conference that he knew little about rugby league and had to be prompted by his solicitor Nick Collins when asked how many players made up a team.

"It's a long shot but you never know," said Matterson.

"The club can't lose anything by this. If he does make it, it will bring people through the gates."

Chambers, who returned to athletics earlier this year after completing a two-year ban for using the designer steroid THG, will be registered with the Rugby Football League to enable him to play at the weekend.

Castleford football director Michael Robinson revealed the club began talking to Chambers about 10 weeks ago after they had been tipped off about his interest in trying his hand at rugby league.

Robinson revealed Chambers would not be paid for the month he was on trial, which he insisted the club was taking seriously.

"It was never mentioned as a publicity stunt," he said. "It was made clear from day one there is no money changing hands between Dwain and the club in the first month."

The 29-year-old Chambers insisted a legal challenge to his lifetime Olympic ban - imposed the British Olympic Association - is "likely" and that he is positive over his chances of being able to compete in Beijing.

"We remain optimistic," he said. "We can't afford negative thoughts.

"There will be a decision on that in the next couple of weeks if we want to go forward with a legal case."

Collins said: "It's always been a very realistic aim we will be going there.

"There's been some very encouraging comments from people outside the BOA saying they have no problem with Dwain.

"We wouldn't take it (an appeal) on if we didn't think there would be a reasonable chance of success. It's likely."

Chambers insisted that, although the Olympics remains his priority, he felt he had to explore other options should his appeal fail.

"I would like to get to Beijing - I'm getting on and am 30 on Saturday, and this may be my last chance," added the sprinter, who revealed he would be taking advice from rugby league legend Martin Offiah.

"But I am here to learn and see if I can grasp a different sport.

"I'm going to take it one day at a time and instead of running in a straight line I will be running left and right.

"I'm optimistic about what I can achieve. I'm competitive at heart and want to go out and do the best I can."