PAUL Crarey can see a light at the end of what has been a very long tunnel to get through as Barrow Raiders begin their preparations for the next phase of the 2018 season.

The closing stages of the Betfred Championship regular season saw the Raiders squad ravage by injuries, although that situation is now starting to ease as the campaign moves into the Super Eights stage.

Half-back Lewis Charnock, who was injured in the season-opener at London Broncos, is just one of those who is set to be available when Rochdale Hornets visit in the first Championship Shield game a week tomorrow.

And Barrow head coach Crarey is relieved to finally be coming to the end of a difficult period which culminated in a 72-6 defeat at home to London Broncos.

"If we'd have beaten London, it would have been against all odds and it's been that way for the past few weeks with these injuries," said Crarey.

"But there is light at the end of the tunnel, even though some of the fans maybe thought there isn't, but there is and we can see it.

"Lewis is going well in training; he takes the line on, he's confident and got a good short kicking game, and he'll be good for us in the Eights.

"We only need a couple of wins to stay up, it's a very difficult competition and we've got to do that, and we need to build massively off the field so the same things don't happen next year that have put us in this position this year."

It has been a demanding time for the Barrow players as well, particularly those who having been having to play out of position or much longer spells than they would usually do.

However, Raiders vice-captain Nathan Mossop is in no doubt having this weekend off will allow them to be fully rested and recuperated for the visit of Rochdale, a side they have already beaten at home.

"The last few weeks have been tough," said Mossop. "With injuries and other factors, we've found it difficult and that's probably an honest reflection of what most of the lads are feeling.

"But I think with this week off, it will give us a natural break and we can come back a little bit refreshed. We're getting some bodies back now and hopefully we can start with a clean slate.

"At the beginning of the year, If you'd have said we'd have 13 points and been five points above the bottom two, you'd have probably taken it.

"I think we're in a healthy position, but I think the main thing as a group is we're going forward rather than backwards, which maybe we'd been doing for the past few weeks."