Barrow Raiders suffer fresh injury blows ahead of big game
BARROW Raiders have been dealt fresh injury blows with Max Clarke and Finn McMillan ruled out of tomorrow’s relegation battle at Dewsbury Rams.
Both came off injured in last week’s controversial defeat at Halifax – Clarke came off in the first-half with a knee injur,y while young McMillan in only his second senior appearance took a hefty knock resulting in concussion, and is ruled out for 11 days.
Raiders head coach Paul Crarey is sweating on the availability of Ramon Silva and Tom Walker with a decision due to be taken this morning.
Walker came off last week with a swollen foot, while Silva has been out two weeks with a leg injury.
On the plus side, Jarrad Stack, Greg Worthington and Ryan Shaw all return after missing out last week at Halifax, while back in the 21-man squad is forward Greg Burke who has been out for several weeks.
Long-term injury Charlie Emslie is around two to three weeks off his comeback game, while Kavan Rothwell, on loan from Leigh, could be back for next week’s vital home game with Swinton.
Ryan Johnston is struggling with a groin problem, and is aiming to be back for the run in towards the end season.
Ryan Brown (Wigan) and Jamie Pye (Salford) are both up for selection as their loan period continues.
Paul Crarey is well aware of the threat from bottom-placed Dewsbury, who have only one win to their name this season.
He said: “We will not be taking them lightly, they may be bottom but under Coach Paul March they’ll be fired up.
“They can play the spoiling game and upset you, so we will have to be on our guard.
“It is important that we keep focused and are error free along with keeping our discipline.
“They have a small ground which can work to their advantage, so it will be important that we get our kicking game right.
“Their playmaker Paul Sykes could be back this week, he has missed games recently so even at the age of 40 he is always a threat.”
Despite the loss at Halifax, Barrow remain in 11th position a point above Swinton and Whitehaven, who have both to visit Craven Park along with Toulouse and Widnes, while away games are at Featherstone, and Wakefield.
In other important games tomorrow, Swinton are home to Halifax, while Whitehaven are home to Doncaster.