DAN Abram and Brad Marwood will be thrust to the fore for Barrow Raiders after it was confirmed Karl Ashall will be out for 12 weeks after suffering a broken arm.

The hooker was forced off with what was originally thought to be a fractured wrist just six minutes into last Sunday's friendly with Oldham, but it has since been diagnosed as more severe than first thought.

Ashall will undergo surgery on the injury and is not expected back until the end of March, which means Abram and Marwood – who also featured off the interchange bench against Oldham – will be the men backing up Nathan Mossop.

“Him and Mossy were probably our two key nines, with the two young lads finding their feet, but now they will have to step up,” said Crarey.

“But they stepped up really well last year, Brad and Dan, so it is nothing new to them, they can do it. But missing Karl is a big blow, for him as well because he focused on a really good start to the year. He is pretty strong mentally, so he will come back strong.

“We have got Mossy, Brad Marwood and Dan Abram. We will rotate the three; we have got to be very careful we don’t lose any more, we definitely need the three to work it between them. Mossy is in our starting nine, so the other two will share the load.”

The injury to Ashall, who made 19 starts for the Raiders after joining from North Wales Crusaders last year, comes at a time when Mossop is only just returning from his setback, having suffered a dislocated ankle in the Kingstone Press League One play-off final defeat at Toulouse Olympique.

The former Millom amateur missed last week's friendly against Oldham to allow the swelling on his ankle to fully go down, but is set to be back in action tomorrow when Cumbrian rivals Whitehaven visit Craven Park (kick-off 2pm).

Former St Helens youth team hooker Abram and Marwood – who is entering his sixth season with Barrow – will both be included in the 20-man squad as well, while forwards Ollie Wilkes and Martin Aspinwall are set to add some experience to the pack after being rested last Sunday.

It remains to be seen whether or not prop Tom Walker features after suffering a hamstring injury against Oldham, however.

Whitehaven, who are coached by 24-year-old former St Helens forward Carl Forster, head to Craven Park having suffered a 42-0 defeat against Keighley Cougars in their opening pre-season game last week.

Barrow will be confident of building on their performance in the 22-22 draw with Oldham, although Crarey conceded that they will miss Ashall despite having players who are capable of stepping up in his absence.

“He has trained the house down and I felt so sorry for him,” said Crarey. “He was really up for it this year and has trained really well. We are disappointed, but he will come back strong.

“He is pretty big for a nine, he’s calm and a great distributor of the ball, but we have a good complement of people that can play nine and all have different styles.”

Meanwhile, bookings are being taken for the supporters coach travelling to Rochdale Mayfield for the League One Cup first round clash, which has been confirmed for Saturday, February 18 (kick-off 2pm).

A seat on the coach for the match against the National Conference League Premier Division amateurs costs £15 and it leaves Walney Promenade at 10am that morning. To book a place, contact the Barrow Rugby Shop in Scott Street on 01229 820273.