PAUL Crarey believes the competition levels in Barrow Raiders’ squad are keeping the players on their toes even with a number of long-term injuries.

Despite losing players like Max Wiper, Karl Ashall, Chris Fleming and Matty Holmes to enforced absences during pre-season, Raiders have been able to mount a strong start to the 2017 campaign in both the league and cups.

Aside from the usual knocks, head coach Crarey has no new injury worries from Sunday’s 50-14 victory away to Coventry Bears in Kingstone Press League One and is delighted to now have players capable of not only stepping in when needed, but also creating competition for places.

“We had a couple of niggles,” said Crarey.

“Ryan Fieldhouse had a bit of a bang on his shoulder and had some treatment, there are a couple of bangs and bruises, but when you’re winning, people want to play and apart from a few with long-term injuries, we’ve had good numbers at training.

“The pressure on places in unbelievable and it’s something we haven’t had. Even with a couple of injuries, there is pressure on lads to perform, and in our third year, the atmosphere and the desire of the players makes this a good place to be.

“I told them that this week and I said sometimes you think ‘what am I doing here?’ and other times this year I’ve thought it has been great.”

Wiper and Ashall are both progressing well in their recovery from a knee operation and broken arm respectively, although the long-term prognosis for winger Fleming’s back injury is somewhat more uncertain.

There has been some good news regarding Danny Morrow’s shoulder injury though and, although he will miss this Saturday’s Challenge Cup fourth-round tie at home to Keighley Cougars, he has not suffered a break and could be back as soon as the start of next month.

“Danny Morrow texted me and he has to go for a scan, but he hasn’t broken his shoulder and he’s got some swelling,” said Crarey. “He might have to have an operation at the end of the year, but with some rehab he could be back in a couple of weeks and that’s a massive plus for us because Danny was doing really well. Dan Toal was back training from work commitments so he will become available, Karl Ashall is in full training now and he’ll be three to five weeks off wanting to play, so we’re getting bodies back.

“Max is doing some running again, so we’ve got a big squad and we’re coming back, and they’ll be like new players when we get them back as the season progresses.

“No doubt we’ll pick up some more injuries, but these lads are on the turn now to get back and play for us.”