NATHAN Mossop has learnt his lesson about tempting fate after being ruled out for the closing stages of the 2018 Betfred Championship season with a bicep injury.

The hooker had been the only ever-present in the injury-hit Raiders side last season, only to be afflicted by the problem in the 34-18 win at home to Swinton Lions.

It came just days after making an off-the-cuff remark to his partner about having played every game and Mossop cannot wait to get back into action with Barrow.

“Personally, before the injury, I was the only player to have played in every game,” said Mossop.

“I made a joke to my missus in the week about it – and on that Sunday I tore my bicep, which kept me out of the last couple of games.

“But that’s rugby league, you’ve got to deal with it, so I’m looking forward to getting back into it.”

The vice-captain was naturally delighted to see the Raiders retain their place in the Championship after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2017.

And he praised the backroom staff at Craven Park for their role in helping the squad.

“It was a great achievement last year,” said Mossop. “If someone said at the end of the year you were going to beat Leigh, draw with Toronto and stay in the Championship, you’d have bitten their hand off.

“I think it was a massive achievement on and off the pitch that the club managed to have a bit of stability.

“The amount of times we had depleted bodies and were doing training sessions with next to no players available, you have to take your hat off not just to the lads, but the coaching staff and physios who made sure we were out on the pitch.”