Winning home games key – Holt

Barrow coach Darren Holt says that winning their home games will be the key to gaining promotion from Championship 1.

The Raiders face Doncaster on Sunday, looking to follow up their opening day victory over North Wales, while the Dons also won in round one, thumping Whitehaven at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Jamie Butler (hamstring) faces a late fitness test while James Dandy (shoulder) looks set to remain sidelined, and Holt is also missing James Finch and Andries Venter.

Holt said: “We’re on our home patch, and every club in this division will be wanting to win their home games. It’s key to any promotion hopes.”

He added: “Doncaster are one of the favourites for promotion, and they had a good win last week against Whitehaven. But we’re at home this week and we want to start well.”

However, Holt insists stopping Doncaster is more than just stopping former Super League star Paul Cooke.

He said: “If you think like that, you’re doing a massive disservice to the rest of Doncaster’s squad. It’s a team game and they’ve got a very good squad.

“I’ve seen a DVD of their win against Whitehaven, and their platform is set by their forward pack.

“The key, and it’s no secret in rugby league, is that whoever wins the forward battle will more than likely win the game.”

Doncaster are without Carl Hughes, who could be out for up to six months after badly dislocating his shoulder against Whitehaven.

However, Grant Edwards (knee) and Liam Cunningham (shin) are expected to be fit.