Championship Preview: Whitehaven v Workington (Sun)

Whitehaven coach Dave Woods will not focus on his side’s lengthy losing run against Workington Town when the Cumbrian rivals meet on Sunday.

Town have won the last seven meetings between the clubs, including two clashes already this season.

But Woods said: “These things come in a roundabout way, and it’s only a couple of years ago that Whitehaven were winning plenty of games in a row.

“They have been playing some great footy and winning games, and have had the edge over us.

“But we’re at home and need a win to keep pushing up the table.”

Woods will check on hamstring injuries to Jamie Rooney, James Cameron and Dan Fleming late in the week, but Matty Palmer is definitely out with ankle ligament damage.

Workington are almost at full strength, with Jarrad Stack, Karl Olstrum and Jordan Walne all expected to return, leaving only long-term absentee Dan Rooney on the sidelines.

Joint coach Gary Charlton said: “Just because we’ve won the last seven against them doesn’t mean we can’t put the right effort in to get the win.

“It’s a big boost for us having those three players back, and they will stiffen us up and give us some good forward.”