PAUL Crarey is anticipating a battle of the forwards when Barrow Raiders head to London Skolars in their latest Kingston Press League One Super Eights clash on Saturday (2pm kick-off).

The Raiders head coach is keen to avenge the 42-34 regular season defeat to the Skolars at the New River Stadium back in June, along with ensuring his side head into their weekend off on the back of an eighth-successive win.

That defeat was the last time Barrow were beaten and Crarey has warned his players – in particular, his pack – they will face a tough afternoon as he expects the hosts to again use their pack to run the ball up the middle on the tight confines of their pitch.

“That's what London base their game on,” said Crarey. “We've watched videos of them at home and away, and, to be fair, they're more expansive away from home and they know how to play their pitch.

“Everything is against the grain and it works very well on a small pitch. Last time, we conceded a lot of points, but they were pretty soft tries from dummy-half and the like.

“Our lads have got it in their mind-set that it is going to be tough. We want a good professional performance, get the job done and get on the bus with a win.

“We definitely owe London one, but they've have a good year, making the Eights and causing a few upsets - beating ourselves, Keighley, Doncaster away, so it's going to be tough and we just want to get the win and get out of there.”

The Skolars side to Barrow face this time around could be somewhat changed as they are likely to be without their dual-registered players due to parent club London Broncos being at home to Leeds Rhinos in the Super League Qualifiers on the same day.

As far as Barrow are concerned, Crarey will go with the same squad which overcame Hunslet Hawks last week, although one change to the starting line-up will see Karl Ashall starting at hooker and Nathan Mossop coming off the interchange bench.

Of the injured players, Andrew Dawson has been on standby in case of injury to anyone in the 18-man squad, while James Duerden and Luke Cresswell are back training.

Liam Harrison is also continuing to make good progress in his recovery from the arm infection he contracted in the win at York City Knights.