SHEFFIELD Tigers legend Andre Compton makes an emotional return to Owlerton with his new club Workington in the Premier Trophy on Thursday (7.45).

Compton, one of the Premier League’s top performers over the last decade, was ruled out of Sheffield’s 2009 plans after announcing his retirement last October.

But by Christmas he’d had a change of heart and was fortunate to land a place with the Cumbrian side on the eve of the season after an injury to teenager Adam Roynon in training.

Workington also include Kevin Doolan and Adrian Rymel, two massive winter signings, and Richard Lawson at reserve has been piling up the points in his debut senior season.

Neil Machin, owner of the Sheffield Window Centre-backed Tigers, said: “This is going to be a massive meeting for us. We’ve had almost a fortnight off thanks to the rain-off last week and we’re desperate to get back on track.

“We were delighted when Andre was fixed up after changing his plans for retirement, but there will be no room for sentiment in this meeting. There will be plenty of rivalry and we’re desperate to see Workington off.”

SHEFFIELD: Ricky Ashworth, Paul Cooper, Ritchie Hawkins, Joel Parsons, Richard Hall, Chris Mills, Josh Auty.
WORKINGTON: Kevin Doolan, John Branney, Adrian Rymel, Charles Wright, Andre Compton, Luke Priest, Richard Lawson.