Preview: Barrow v Whitehaven

Rob Roberts is expected to play for Barrow, despite suffering an ankle injury in Thursday’s Northern Rail Cup defeat by Widnes.

But Zeb Luisi (ankle) and Martin Ostler are unlikely to be fit for Steve McCormack’s side.

Whitehaven play their first game since the tragic death of former player Garry Purdham.

Coach Ged Stokes said: “There’s quite a number of the team who came through their careers alongside Garry.

“Some things will have to be thought about extremely hard. These sort of circumstances make you rethink things and the players need to express themselves.”

David Ford could return for Whitehaven after recovering from a knee reconstruction and a swollen spleen.

Stokes added: “It’s been a tough week for Barrow. This is their second of three games in a nine-day spell, but they’re a resilient team with a number of full time players.

“We’ll expect the same type of game that we always get when we face Barrow.”