Stokes: We need to show professionalism

Ged Stokes is set to name an unchanged Whitehaven side as they prepare for their final three games in the Co-operative Championship.

Stokes said: “To a certain extent it’s now about preparing for next season, but we’ve got to be professional for these last three games. Players worth their salt have a personal pride factor.

“We’ll count on those things to make sure we stay professional and look after some of the young players that we’re exposing at the moment.”

On Dewsbury Rams, Stokes added: “They’re a team that works hard in the middle channel and they’ll be playing with confidence because they’ve come through a tough time themselves.”

Rams can relax after securing their place in the Championship with last week’s win at Leigh.

But coach Warren Jowitt has warned his players not to lose focus. He said: “If the players decide to take their foot off the gas, then they’ll get burned.

“We’re not a good enough team to be able to do that. We’ve got to work hard every single week.

“Whitehaven are playing for two things: pride, and contracts for next season. With a desperate team, anything can happen.”

He added: “It’s a massive achievement for us to stay up. We haven’t ever been thumped or been the whipping boys. The fact we’ve got eight bonus points shows how close we’ve been in every game.

“What this season’s done for us, because I’ll be keeping a similar squad again next year, is give us experience that will prove very valuable.

“The lads have learnt how to win a game and how to hold on to games once they get themselves in a good position.”

Jowitt is also likely to name the same squad as last week.