BARROW Raiders travel to take on Widnes Vikings tomorrow in round one of the Championship.

Raiders welcome back skipper Jarrad Stack following a two-match suspension.

Apart from Andrew Bullman (leg injury) and the suspended Luke Broadbent, Barrow are at full strength as they prepare for a tough season ahead.

Paul Crarey’s men have had a two-week rest following their exit from the 1895 Cup at the hands of Championship title favourites Wakefield Trinity.

Head coach Crarey is looking forward to the new season.

He said: “It is going to be another tough campaign in the Championship.

“There are so many good teams and some clubs that have splashed the cash.

“It is a hard league, but I feel we can compete. We have a strong but small squad with so many local lads playing for their town club.

“Lads that will fight tooth and nail for each other. It's been stop start with pre-season games followed by the 1895 and Challenge cup with gaps in between.

“We just need to keep going every week and compete. The main thing is trying to steer clear of injuries.

“It’s good to see players back from injury and we are all ready to go.”

Crarey will field a strong set of forwards with Tom Walker and Ramon Silva in the front row alongside Josh Wood.

In the back of the pack, James Greenwood will partner Stack with on loan Wigan youngster Harvey Makin at loose forward.

Max Clarke will move into the centre position and partner Shane Toal who moves back to his original role on the wing with Broadbent suspended.

Charlie Emslie is on the bench and like Greenwood, the former Millom star has recovered from a head injury.

Crarey added: “Going back to the cup tie at Wakefield I was very pleased with how we competed against such a strong side when we had some of our top liners out injured.

“If we continue to play like we did that day we will be alright.

“Widnes are a good side with plenty of experience, but we will be concentrating on our own game and how we perform to the best of our ability.”

Widnes will be looking to put last week's Challenge Cup defeat against Batley behind them (14-18) and have in their squad former Barrow forward Danny Langtree.

Both Barrow and Widnes players along with the match officials will be wearing odd socks for the game in recognition of World Down Syndrome Day, which takes place on March 21.