PAUL Crarey has been putting his Barrow Raiders squad through some hard-hitting drills in preparation for what he expects to be another physical clash at home to Doncaster on Sunday.

In time-honoured rugby league fashion, there has been no quarter asked or given between the sides during their previous meetings in Kingstone Press League One this season, with Doncaster edging a 21-18 win in April and the Raiders triumphing 40-12 in July's Super Eights meeting.

And Crarey expects this play-off semi-final to be no different, particularly as the visitors are likely to be able to call on the services of former New Zealand international prop Iafeta Palea'aesina, who has been on loan from Super League side Hull FC.

“We've been doing a lot of wrestle and a lot of contact,” said Crarey. “We've done contact like we did in pre-season, getting the lads ready for a very physical encounter. When we've played Doncaster, both times it has been very physical, and we played quick and played through the middle last time, and got our reward for that.

“Gary Thornton (Doncaster's head coach) is a very good coach who has been around the block, he'll know we'll come through the middle and he'll stiffen up their middle, so it will be a very good contest – especially with Palea'aesina.

“He makes a massive difference; when he plays they have great go-forward off that and we're planning for him playing. I know they've had a few injuries over the last few weeks, but they've still managed to function.”

Barrow are set to be boosted by the likes of Martin Aspinwall and Ryan Fieldhouse being available again, while Crarey will wait before deciding on whether or not to include Dan Toal as he nears a full recovery from a shoulder injury.

The prize for the winner is a showdown with either Toulouse Olympique or York City Knights, with the table-toppers now having to go through the play-offs following last weekend's surprise 24-22 defeat to Rochdale Hornets in the championship and promotion decider.

However, the RFL issued a statement on Wednesday evening saying York are not eligible for promotion due to ongoing issues regarding their home ground for next season – subject to any appeal within seven days.

But the Knights are being allowed to take part in the play-offs as prize money for the beaten semi-finalists, and play-off final winners and runners-up is still on the line.

A further twist is that if they beat Toulouse and then either have an appeal rejected or do not appeal, the winner of the clash between Barrow and Doncaster would be promoted but still have to face York in the final the following weekend.

Perhaps more so than ever then, the focus for Crarey and his squad is firmly on beating Doncaster, and he is hopeful of another bumper crowd after a season-highest 1,173 turned up at Craven Park for the final league game of the season, when the Raiders saw off Keighley Cougars 26-18.

And having helped oversee the rebuilding of the club following their relegation from the Championship in 2014, the former Barrow hooker is eager for them not to let the chance to return to the second tier slip through their fingers this time around.

“Two years ago, that's what we set out to do and it has probably come sooner than we thought and we've got to grasp it because this division is not going to get any easier with Workington, Whitehaven and the Canadians coming in, and everyone spending a bit more money,” said Crarey.

“Next year it's going to be tight again and Toronto will probably rip through this division, but we want to build and build until it becomes a level playing field. Then we'll have the systems and programmes in place, and have a good shot to make the Championship sustainable.”