Preview: Featherstone v Barrow

Featherstone Rovers‘ Ian Hardman (knee) faces a late fitness test before Daryl Powell names his Rovers team.

But Michael Haley and Tom Hemingway are both fit and available for selection as Powell looks to claim a fourth win in five Co-operative Championship fixtures this year.

Barrow Raiders coach Nigel Wright could be boosted by the return of influential forwards Jamie Thackray and Nathan Mossop for Thursday’s trip to West Yorkshire.

The pair both trained on Tuesday night and will be re-assessed on Wednesday, but Wright admitted they had a more than 50 per cent chance of playing against Rovers.

Wright said: “It gives us a little bit more choice and strength in depth on the substitutes bench.”

The Raiders coach watched his side fall to a surprise defeat against Batley in their last outing.

On facing Featherstone, he said: “It’s a massive test. They’ve started off strongly again this year, and we’re not firing on all cylinders at the moment.

“But after the disappointment of Batley, it’s good to get back to it with a game like this. We don’t want to let ourselves down on television.

“We’ve more than prepared for this game. The boys were in all weekend and we know what sort of opposition we’re playing against, but we’re looking forward to it.”