PAUL Crarey is delighted to see the Barrow Raiders squad refreshed and revitalised as they prepare for their final push for promotion.

Raiders return to action this Sunday at home to Keighley Cougars in the Kingstone Press League One Super Eights following a weekend without a game, during which the players were given some much-needed time off.

Crarey and his staff were back putting them through their paces at training on Tuesday evening, though, and the Barrow head coach was pleased to see his near-on full-strength squad returned with renewed vigour.

“It’s been so intense for us that it was essential the lads had a rest and recharge the batteries,” said Crarey.

“We gave them the weekend off, so they’ve had from Thursday to Tuesday off and we’re back in now.

“They looked really good in training and fresh. We’ve got a bit of a spring in our step again and we’ve got a few bodies back.

“Leading up to that, fatigue was setting in. There were a lot of busted bodies from the games we were playing in and games are more physical away than they are at home.

“We’re at home this week, which is brilliant, and maybe if we don’t win it might be the last home game. If we do, we’ll probably finish in that third spot and it’s important that we do win to secure it, and maybe even get to second depending on other results.”

Among those players back in action were Liam Harrison, who has recovered from an arm infection, and Dan Toal, who had been away working in Scotland, while Shane Toal has been declared fit to face Keighley as well.

Bradd Crellin is the only major doubt due to the neck injury he sustained against London Skolars and was kept away from any contact work as a precaution.

Crarey knows a win over Keighley – who still have a mathematical chance of making the play-offs – would confirm a top-three finish for Barrow, while he is also keen to give the Craven Park faithful something to cheer about as well.

“We just want to repay the faith the fans have shown all year – especially the away support,” said Crarey.

“The away support we’ve had has been phenomenal. We’ve out-weighed some clubs’ home fans with our away support and they’ve sung and made it a really great atmosphere for us to play.

“We know the fans personally, we know them to speak to and we appreciate the travelling and everything they do.

“We get it for free, but they’re paying to stop over and watch the games.

“When we went to York, it was amazing the amount of travelling fans we had and even London last week on the back of that, people had driven down in their cars to watch, and it was the same faces singing and jumping about in the stands.

“The lads really appreciate it and have a good rapport with the fans, and it’s been a pleasure to see them.

“The fan-base is increasing as well and we want to finish in style with our last regular season home game, then we’ll concentrate on the play-offs.”