Deakin keeping fingers crossed

STEVE DEAKIN admits he has his “fingers crossed” over the fitness of a number of key men ahead of the big Barrow test.

Eight bruised and battered players were in for physio work yesterday, ahead of the crunch clash at Craven Park on Friday night.

Full-back Paul O’Connor is among them with a dead leg that is still stiff and he will have further treatment on the injury tonight and tomorrow in a bid to get him ready for the game.

While Deakin is “hopeful” over O’Connor’s chances, he says it as yet too early to assess whether others, including key men in impact prop Said Tamghart and captain Rob Roberts, will be able to make it onto the field.

However, given the excellent run of late — the 16-14 triumph in Workington at the weekend was the sixth in succession — there is certainly no doom and gloom around the club at present.

“It is the nature of the game and I can’t do anything about it,” said Deakin of the injuries situation.

“If I could, I would be doing it. You can’t afford to let it cloud the issue and we just have to concentrate on those things that can be controlled.

“We have got a bit of form together, though we didn’t necessarily execute as well as we can on Sunday and the players know that.

“But when you go on a run like this, there are always going to be times when things don’t work perfectly. You can’t play champagne rugby all the time.

“We have won six in a row now and we are confident in our own ability.”

The squad trains together tonight, with tomorrow’s session the last before travelling up to Barrow.

Lucas Onyango (shoulder and ankle) and Craig Littler could both come back into the side for that game.




A SUPPORTERS bus to Barrow will leave the Black Horse, Ripponden Road, at 3pm and the social club at 3.15pm.



The cost is £17.50. Call Janet at the Roughyeds office on (0161) 6283677 or Joyce on (0161) 6651832 to book.