There’s only one change to the Workington Town squad for this weekend’s League One trip to Newcastle Thunder.
Half-back Ciaran Walker misses out through concussion protocols but veteran centre Jason Mossop is back in contention after missing last week.
It’s a game Town will be extra keen to win against the bottom side in the division with no wins to their name, as they have suffered six consecutive defeats, a run which has plunged them out of the play-off berths into the bottom three.
Injuries have hampered their progress this season and even one of the three overseas players they brought into the club in May – Fijian Lasarusa Tabu – is out at the moment, so they have had a succession of short-term loan recruits to help out.
Three of them are in the squad to travel to Newcastle – Joe Hartley, Tommy Brierley and Mike Ogunwole – along with Brad Brennan who has signed until the end of the season.
Newcastle, coached by ex-Town coach Chris Thorman, have lost all 13 games so far conceding 714 points along the way – including a 48-18 defeat at Workington earlier in the season.
Their squad includes two names familiar with west Cumbrian fans – Evan Lawther who started the season at Whitehaven and Sean Croston who has played briefly for both Town and Whitehaven.
Town from: Brad Brennan, Carl Forber, Chris Taylor, Connor Saunders, Grant Reid, Jake Bradley, Jason Mossop, JJ Key, Joe Hartley, Jonny Hutton, Jordan Burns, Jordan Thomson, Liam McNicholas, Luke Charlton, Matty Henson, Mike Ogunwole, Pone Tongia, Stevie Scholey, Tommy Brierley, Tyler Walton, Zarrin Galea.
Newcastle from: Jake Anderson, Will Bate, Oliver Bibby, Leo Bradley, Paddy Burns, Lennon Bursell, Sean Croston, Alex Donaghy, Tobias Gibson, Mackenzie Harman, Tyler Hepple, Robin Hughes, Luke Jeremy, Evan Lawther, Harry Lowery, Jason Payne, Harry Price, Nathan Rushworth, Joel Russell, Tom Siddle, Josh Stoker.
Newcastle have issued a message to travelling Workington fans that traffic might be heavier than usual on Sunday as the Tyne Bridge is closed in the morning… but Gateshead Stadium is a dream to get to via the Metro.
