Widnes are aiming for their third win in nine days, but coach Keiron Purtill is taking nothing for granted when the Raiders visit the Halton Stadium.

“We are in a relegation fight and it is a massive game for both clubs. Barrow are methodical and a tough team to break down,” said the Vikings boss.

Widnes’ midweek win over Featherstone in the 1895 Cup followed their 36-6 success over Sheffield Eagles – a victory that lifted them above Barrow in the Betfred Championship and pushed Paul Crarey’s men back into a relegation spot.

Purtill said: “There were some busted bodies going into the Featherstone game and some coming out of it. It was a short turnaround, but you have to get on with it and overall I am happy with what we have done.”

Purtill is hoping that his long-term absentee Anthony Gelling, who has been out since Good Friday, will be ready for a comeback. Gelling suffered a groin injury in the game against Leigh while Olly Ashall-Bott is on the mend following a long lay-off with a hairline leg fracture.

Purtill has been hampered in his bid to strengthen the side because of a signing embargo. After going into administration, the club are in special measures and are unlikely to be allowed to make any further signings this year.

The Widnes coach’s problems may sound familiar to the backroom staff around Craven Park.

“We have not really been able to rotate anybody for a number of weeks and that is catching up on us,” he said. “There is nothing we can do about it, so as a group we just need to keep working hard.”

Despite the 12-point deduction for going into administration – without that the Vikings would be in fifth spot - the fans have stuck by the club. Almost 5,000 turned up to see the win over Sheffield last Friday.