Two of Barrow’s big name signings are expected to feature in the Raiders’ second pre-season game at home to Newcastle Thunder on Sunday.
Jarrod Sammut was ill on Sunday and missed the opening warm-up game against one of his former clubs, Workington Town.
Town were an important stepping stone in Sammut’s career as the Maltese international scored 33 tries in 37 appearances for the Derwent Park club, and kicked 77 goals.
It led to subsequent contracts with London Broncos and Wigan Warriors, although more recent spells at Leigh and Broncos again, only saw him play a total of 10 games.
The experienced 34-year-old playmaker, who started his career in his native Australia with Penrith Panthers 15 years ago, signed for Barrow at the beginning of December.
Josh Wood is also raring to go following his move from Wakefield Trinity and he only missed-out last week after picking up a slight knock in training.
Coach Paul Crarey has already praised Wood’s application in training following his arrival in south Cumbria.
He said: “Josh has been outstanding at training. I’ve never seen anybody as physical in contact drills as him. He can ping a ball left and right and he’s very composed, so he’s massive for us.”
Crarey has also emphasised the strength in depth of his squad as they continue preparations ahead of the opening round of the Betfred Championship against Sheffield Eagles on Sunday 30 January.
They had 11 players missing against Workington Town, when they won 24-11, and as well as Sammut and Wood they should have Jake Carter, Jarrad Stack and Nathan Mossop back in contention.
Previewing the new season, Crarey said: “The team with the best versatility will come out on top, and it’s about stealing those close games.
“Covid is going to play a major factor, but we’ve got back-up.
“We’ve got some good players who sat out the Workington game, and we got a win when we were well off the pace in terms of the structure and how we want to play.
“I thought we had a desire to defend our goal-line in the first half, especially when we were up against a mountain of possession.
“If we’re going to be a good side and compete in the Championship, we’re going to have to sacrifice ourselves.”
Newcastle Thunder have strengthened considerably and are expected to be very competitive in the Championship, in only their second season at that level.
