PAUL Crarey is not concerned that Ryan Fieldhouse could be one of the next players signed up by Toronto Wolfpack as the Canadian side continue to build their squad ahead of their entry to Kingstone Press League One.
Toronto head coach Paul Rowley was spotted at Craven Park when Barrow Raiders beat Hunslet Hawks a week last Sunday and rumours suggested he was running the rule over Raiders full-back Fieldhouse.
However, Barrow head coach Crarey revealed Rowley's visit was more of a social call rather than him necessarily eyeing up any potential new recruits for the Wolfpack's inaugural campaign in 2017.
“He's a good friend of mine and John Fieldhouse (Ryan's father), and phoned me up and said he had a bit of time to kill and said he's come down,” said Crarey.
“He brought his young lad down with him, and I'd go down when he was at Leigh and watch some games, and he just phoned me up.
“He's got his squad sorted - I think they've signed another full-back on, so I don't think they're after Ryan. I don't know if he's after players, but he didn't say anything to me and he probably would do if he was interested in any of our players.
“He's just a friend of mine who came down to catch a little bit of rugby, and probably have a look at what is going on in League One, because that's the level they'll be playing at.”
Meanwhile, there were some injury concerns to come out of Barrow's 54-4 win over London Skolars on Saturday, with Martin Aspinwall, Joe Bullock and Bradd Crellin all joining those players already on the treatment table.
“We struggled a bit off our bench because Joe Bullock hurt his back early on, and we patched Martin up and he went back on injured,” said Crarey.
“But he put his hand up and went back out there, and we only had one fit sub in the second half, which was (Karl) Ashall and he rotated with Mossy (Nathan Mossop).
“I take my hat off to Andrew Dawson and Brad Brennan; they did massive minutes against a massive pack.
“They had four starters off the bench - three front rows and the loose forward - and I think they looked to keep the momentum going, but our lads matched it and more, so credit to them.”
The injury problems mean the week's break has come at the perfect time for Barrow, and tonight's training session will consist mostly of rehabilitation and assessing the various ailments afflicting the squad.
Crarey revealed Aspinwall has also been carrying an Achilles injury in recent weeks, but expects the break to give the 34-year-old time to get fit for the home game with Keighley Cougars on Sunday, September 4.
Liam Harrison contacted Crarey on Saturday night to inform him he expects to be able to play in that match as well.
Read more: Paul Crarey happy as Barrow Raiders reap rewards in London
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