WORKINGTON Town have been forced into changes for Sunday’s Co-operative Championship One clash at home to Gateshead Thunder (3pm).

Darren King, Neil Frazer, James Finch and John Lebbon will all miss-out against the north-east side who have already lost at home to the west Cumbrians in the Northern Rail Cup.

King suffered a shoulder injury in last week’s 32-24 defeat at Rochdale Hornets, playing only his second game of the season. He had been man of the match a week earlier on his annual reappearance against York City Knights.

“We’re expecting him to be ok for the Easter Monday game at Oldham but Sunday will come too soon for him,” said joint coach Gary Charlton.

Seasoned campaigner Frazer, who has been putting in some grafting, eye-catching performances on the wing is keen to play but will be rested to give time for a tendonitis problem in his knee to heal.

Finch has declared himself unavailable because of work commitments while John Lebbon is still not fully recovered from a neck problem.

“John helped us out last week when Brett Carter dropped out and filled in at full-back when he wasn’t properly fit. Brett has recovered from a shoulder injury so will come back in against Gateshead,” said Charlton.

Jamie Marshall, who has been covering as hooker in recent weeks, will revert to his more familiar wing role with Jack Pedley fit again to start at hooker after coming on from the bench at Rochdale.

Joe McKenna, who was unavailable for the trip to Rochdale, is able to re-join the squad to face Thunder.

Charlton said: “We’ve still got to learn to play for 80 minutes rather than 40 because last week we didn’t do what we’d trained to do.

“Gateshead had a bad result against Batley but they came back from that and beat London.

“Most of the teams in Co-operative Championship One will be wanting three points out of their home games. We’re no different, but we’ve got to be on our guard because if we don’t play well then Gateshead will give us a real run for our money.

“There ase no gimmees in this game and if you don’t put the effort in you get punished.”
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Gateshead coach Chris Hood has a fully fit squad to select from. Karl Brandt, Robin Peers and Rhys Clarke are all available earlier than expected.

“That’s testament to their attitude and to the abilities of our medical staff,” said Hood.

He added: “I was happy that we were able to put that Batley game behind us and it was good to get a first win as a new team, but we’re still on minus three points.

“Having said that, the lads have really stepped up training this week and they’ve been absolutely buzzing.
“We played Workington in the Northern Rail Cup. They’re a big side and they play down the middle, with smart halfbacks working off that.

“They’ve had some tough results over the past few weeks, but Derwent Park is still a difficult place to go.”

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