LEWIS Charnock is one of several Barrow Raiders players who are likely to be called up again to play somewhere other than their usual positions this season.

Half-back Charnock reprised his role at loose forward from the recent trip to Toulouse Olympique in last Sunday's Betfred Championship 46-30 defeat away to Leigh Centurions.

It is not the first time the former St Helens player has been asked to slot into a different position, having filled in at hooker on occasions too, and he is not the only one.

Back row Jarrad Stack has been featuring regularly at centre for Barrow this season during the absence of the injured Declan Hulme and head coach Paul Crarey knows how important versatility is to his team.

"We're short on middles at the moment, so we put him in there," said Crarey of Charnock's positional switch. "We know he can play nine, and he's a nine, 13 and pivot.

"Versatility is a big thing. Some people say we've got so many backs and so many forwards, and a make a big thing of it, but it isn't.

"Jarrad Stack is a forward who can play in the centre and is doing a great job out there, so when you've got a squad like us you can't pigeon-hole people and expect to go through the year without playing anybody anywhere.

"Versatility is a good thing for our team because if we didn't (have it) we wouldn't survive."

Other positional changes this season have seen Nathan Mossop slot in at 13 and Willie Minoga play in the centre, while prop Alec Susino can slot into any of the back row slots if needed.

Playing two games over Easter against Toronto Wolfpack and Bradford Bulls means the Raiders' versatility will likely be fully utilised, although having this weekend off due to their elimination from the Challenge Cup means their injured players have extra time to recover.

Tom Walker aggravated a groin injury in the loss at Leigh, with Jamie Dallimore and Minoga both leaving the field as well due to minor injuries.

Jono Smith is being kept out of action to allow his fractured cheekbone to fully recover and Crarey is in no doubt this break has come at a good time.

"We've got two weeks off now, which will hopefully be a big blessing for us," said Crarey.

"Jono wants to play, but it's a minimum of eight weeks and that takes him to after Easter. We've lost Dan Toal now because of his red card (against York) and we've got to see what we've got coming back.

"Jordan Walne is coming back, but the Easter programme for part-time teams is horrific."