FURNESS and Hawcoat Park both face important games tomorrow – for very different reasons.

While Furness are looking to boost their Cumbria League and League Cup hopes in a home double-header against Carlisle Crusaders, Hawcoat face a must-win North Lancs/Cumbria League relegation battle at Eccles.

FURNESS v CARLISLE CRUSADERS

(Strawberry Grounds, 2.15pm)

FURNESS are keeping their fingers crossed the weather forecast remains dry as they look to play their first home match since early December.

The Blues are set to host Carlisle in a rearranged Cumbria League match, after their opponents could not raise a team last time.

The game will act as a league and cup double-header as Furness look to make progress in both competitions.

South African talisman Corne Els is still sidelined with injury and Joe Mallinson drops to the bench and will only be used if needed as he recovers from injury.

Up front, the evergreen Leon Sweet anchors the scrum with the hard-working Ben Hughes at hooker. Cameron McClure moves to prop.

The back row sees Will Mallinson slot in at number eight, with the fit-again Andy Brannon partnering Rhys Studt in a mobile unit.

Sam Dutton is itching to get back out on the playing field at scrum half and will have Adam Nicholson as his target at 10.

The back line is youthful, with a mix of experience looking to stretch the Carlisle defence.

Young Rhys Humphreys continues to be consistent in the centre and a bonus is the return of the powerful James Armistead on the flank.

Alex Brown and Lee Starkey complete the attack and both can find space given the opportunity.

Furness are working hard behind the scenes on the Strawberry Grounds pitch to ensure the game goes ahead and are looking forward to their first competitive home match in 2018.

ECCLES v HAWCOAT PARK

HAWCOAT Park are on the road at fellow strugglers Eccles for what could be a season-defining game as they battle relegation from the North Lancs/Cumbria League.

They go strong from the off, with a capable front row of John Donnan, Adam Grainger and Paul Woodburn.

The strength does not end there, as the influential Ashley Mowat links up the bullocking running of Ryan Milner in a second-row combination.

Skipper Brad Morrow is hopeful of a return and will link up with Alfie White and Callum Ramsey, who returns to his more usual role in the forwards.

With final selection to be confirmed it remains to be seen if James Howden or Scott Garnett get the nod at scrum half after Garnett’s great display in defeat at Aspatria last week.

George Smith will pull on the fly-half shirt and will be looking to the forwards in front of him to get him good clean ball.

The pace and fast feet of James Dallimore and Lewis Sayle will be key in finishing off the moves and getting the ball over the whitewash, with the help of Grady Slater and Chris Burns, who take the centre positions.

George Hilton comes in at full-back and Dan White joins Harry Higgins on the bench for a must-win fixture.