Barrow Island take on Hull Dockers at Rating Lane in Division Two of the National Conference League and are still on track for a play-off spot come the end of term.

They did their chances a power of good with a 30-22 away win at East Leeds last weekend.

Peter Rimmer will miss the clash and probably the rest of the season as he comforts wife Becky, with the couple’s week-old son Joey is in hospital in Lancaster. All at the Island wish them all the best and look forward to Peter being back on the field.

Also out of contention are Elliott Campbell and Max Moore, who are in a training camp with the Scotland under-19s squad.Dan White is still sidelined with an ankle problem, along with Callum Nelson.

Young winger Ryan Higgins had a sound game at Leeds and retains his place in the squad while Scott Hadwin is included after a lengthy lay-off, following surgery on a hand injury.

The Dockers are three places below fourth-placed Island but are only two points adrift and come on the back of a 34-26 defeat at leaders Ince Rose Bridge after trailing 30-4 at one stage.

Coach Joe Elliott is anticipating a tough 80 minutes, saying: “It was a good win at Leeds we were behind 10-0 at one stage and trailed 16-12 at the break, but fought back and dug in and got the result.

“Young Higgins had a good game, which is encouraging and he retains his place in the squad. The Dockers will be a tough side but our home form has been sound with just one defeat (against West Bowling).”

Millom are home to Gateshead Storm in Division Three with a leg injury ruling out player-coach Tom Sibley. Also out on international duty with Scotland are Charlie Emslie, Dylan Sykes and Connor Terrill.

Back to boost the side in their push up the table are Jonathan Hodgson, Noah Robinson, Hanley Dawson and Lee Postlethwaite. The Woolybacks had a narrow 26-20 win at Eastmoor last week with Adam Kelly kicking four second half penalty goals

Sibley said ahead of the Devonshire Road clash: “We need this win and two points against Oldam St Annes next week to lift us further up the ladder.

“Again, young lads came in at Leeds last week and though experienced players are back in contention, I have to consider the efforts of those who came in.”

Askam are short in numbers for their trip to bottom of the pile Shaw Cross Sharks, with six of last week’s victorious team that beat Clock Face Miners unavailable. These six, along with long-term absentees, saw numbers low at training this week.