Barrow Raiders will go into this afternoon’s Challenge Cup first round clash without Luke Cresswell.

Head coach Paul Crarey has confirmed the full-back will be out for three weeks after injuring his ankle ligaments in a contact session.

Meanwhile, Crarey has said Harry Swarbrick is set to be given his chance to impress at 9 in today’s game.

The game at the Vestacare Stadium (kick-off 12.45pm) will be the Raiders’ first in more than a year and both Crarey and winger Tee Ritson are relishing the chance to play some rugby again.

Crarey said: “We're just looking forward to playing really.

"We want to go and have a good contest and see where we are at as a team.

“It will be our first hit-out in 12 months and we will put out our most experienced team with some young players in like Jake Carter.

“It will be good for the fans. When I’m knocking about the town everyone is asking me about the game and they are really looking forward to it too.”

Ritson added: “I can’t wait. Everyone is buzzing about it – it’s been over a year now since we were last able to play a game. Everyone is chomping at the bit. We’ve all been putting in the hard work and looking forward to getting stuck into Oldham.”

Rougheyds head into today’s game off the back of two friendly defeats, whereas the Raiders have played no pre-season games.

After watching Oldham lose to both Featherstone Rovers and Halifax Panthers, Crarey is confident his side can enter the second round.

He said: “I thought they were poor against Featherstone but improved massively against Halifax. They conceded more than 80 points in those two games, but they will be expecting and thinking they can beat us.

“I think they’ll be given the go-ahead to bash us as we haven’t played yet, but we’re in good physical condition as well.

"There will be a fatigue factor for both sides. We’ve got some areas where we think we can get them, but we need to stay structured as we will be under pressure for long periods of the game.

“It will be tight and tough, but we have got to be smart when we play, and everyone has to pull their weight and that’s why I’ve gone for the experienced players as they won’t be intimidated by an aggressive pack.”