Barrow Raiders vice-captain Nathan Mossop could miss his side’s pre-season friendlies because of his recent shoulder surgery.

The long-serving hooker had an operation to remove a floating bone from his shoulder and is currently having to sit out the more strenuous parts of the Raiders’ pre-season training.

According to head coach Paul Crarey, it is looking unlikely Mossop will recover in time to take part in Barrow’s friendlies against Oldham, North Wales Crusaders or Workington Town next month.

It rounds off a frustrating year for the man who is heading into his 11th season at Craven Park having not played since the 1895 Cup tie against Bradford Bulls in June due to problems with his shoulder.

Crarey said: “We’ve lost Mossy until probably the back end of January. He had a floating bone, a chipped bone, in his shoulder but that’s been removed now, but he’s in good nick apart from that.

“He’s just doing light training, with no contact, so we might not see him in the friendlies.”

Crarey also gave an update on when Papua New Guinea internationals Wartovo Puara and Stargroth Amean will be joining the rest of the squad after being given Christmas off due to their busy autumns on international duty.

“Wattsy and Star will be back in the first week of January, while my son Joe, who’s come through the academy, will be making up the numbers in the pre-season friendlies, as will a lot of the other amateur lads we’ve brought in to play,” Crarey said.

While Mossop faces another month before he’ll be ready to return to action, there is better news on Barrow’s new captain, Jarrad Stack.

The Australian second row had to spend hospital towards the end of last month because of an infection in his elbow and although the club’s medical staff are treading cautiously, that issue has largely healed up.

Crarey said: “There are still a few signs of it on his elbow, but it is a lot better than what it was and he’s actually training, although we haven’t let him go in the mud, and stuff, and do any contact again.

“But he’s looking pretty sharp, Jarrad, he’s very fit, he does a lot of weights and keeps himself in good nick anyway.

“He’s looking like he should be OK for the first game, against Oldham. There are only a few doubts for that game, with Mossy being the major one.

“We’re treating Shane Toal gingerly because he’s coming back after a long injury, but again he’s absolutely flying. He’s probably the fittest at the club at the moment, he’s really looked after himself and I’m really looking forward to seeing Shane play again this year.”