Gailer gives players a chance

Whitehaven coach Don Gailer will use Sunday’s Northern Rail Cup tie against Barrow to give a chance to some of his fringe players to impress.

Last weekend’s hammering at the hands of derby rivals Workington means that Haven can’t progress to the knockout stages of this year’s competition.

They are definitely without Chris Fleming (shoulder) and Scott McAvoy (knee), but Gailer still expects to make up to nine changes to his team to give every member of his squad the chance to stake a claim for a starting spot ahead of the new Championship 1 season.

Gailer said: “We’ve got to bounce back from that Workington game. I think our forwards learned a lesson about passion on Sunday, and this week will see a fresh challenge for us.

“All the guys who haven’t had a run so far will get one against Barrow. We can’t progress any further in the Northern Rail Cup, so it’s a good opportunity to give chances to a few blokes who haven’t had them yet.”