Cumbrian sides are due to return to league action on Saturday despite the increasing numbers of coronavirus cases in the county.
In North One West, struggling Carlisle hope to be able to fulfil their fixture against Firwood Waterloo.
The Warwick Road club had their last two pre-Christmas games postponed because of a lack of front row players, largely through injuries.
It’s an ever-changing situation now, however, through Covid, and they do have players suffering from the virus or isolating.
They include two props but as long as the remainder stay clear the squad will be good to go on Saturday – but anything can happen inside 48 hours.
The game should have been played at Warwick Road but because Carlisle didn’t travel for a rearranged game at Waterloo earlier in the season they have to forfeit the home game and travel.
With no points deductions announced for that, or their recent postponements, Carlisle remain next to bottom, five points better off than Douglas but the Isle of Man side do have two games in hand.
Neighbours Penrith, who are fifth, are due to entertain Vale of Lune in ninth. The Lancaster side are 15 points worse off and have played a game more than their Cumbrian hosts.
Penrith have the odd injury problem but as far as they know have no Covid in the squad.
Team manager Mike Sanderson said: “We know the majority of players have been double jabbed as they had covid passes for the Douglas trip which was called off on December 18.
“We’ve had good training sessions this week but taking nothing for granted the way things are going with covid we expect to turn out a strong 18 for the Vale game.”
