Relegation-threatened Whitehaven have sacked coach James Coyle with just five games of the season remaining.

The club announced the news yesterday that they had let Coyle go, ahead of this weekend's crunch derby with Workington Town.

And assistant coach Gary Broadbent has since stood down, leaving the club searching for an interim coach.

Haven general manager, Amanda Hewer, said: "As a club changes needed to be made and unfortunately that started with James.

"We have five weeks now to try and stay in the Championship and as a club we have to try and do everything possible to make that happen.

"It still might not happen, we know it is a difficult ask but we believe it is doable.

"That is our aim and the players know what they have to do and how serious this is."

The board took the decision following the 48-16 defeat against Sheffield at the weekend.

Haven are currently rock bottom of the Championship, two points adrift from Workington in the other relegation slot and four off Swinton, in the safety zone.

They face Town on Sunday at the Zebra Claims Stadium, ko 3pm, in a make-or-break game for both teams.

Senior players will step up to take training this week while the club search for a new coach.

Hewer paid tribute to Coyle's efforts over the past couple of seasons and wished him the best for the future.

She added: "James massively turned the club around when he took over after the departure of Steve Deakin.

"His tactical side of the game is second to none and nobody at this club will ever question that.

"He is a young coach and he still has a long way to go and he definitely has a bright future in the game.

"The hours he put in here were massive and he was completely committed to the team.

"We wish him the world of luck wherever he goes and nobody here has a bad word to say about him.

"It's just unfortunate the position we are in and he is the head figure."

Coyle was vocal after the Sheffield defeat, declaring that if Haven did not beat Town on Sunday, Haven were as good as down.

The club needs to secure a victory and build on that when they take on Halifax, Dewsbury, Oldham and Swinton in the following weeks.