Workington Town will travel to Featherstone Rovers for the Championship Shield semi-final on Sunday without five of their fit regular first-team choices.

Elliott Miller, Brett Carter, Jason Mossop and the Phillips brothers, Brett and Callum, jetted off to Las Vegas earlier this week for a pre-arranged holiday, while Marc Shackley (knee) and Sam Forrester (back) join the long injury list.

And coach Phil Veivers will have little left to gamble with.

“We’re down to bare bones and I’m just hoping the rest can get time off work or we’re going to be in big trouble,” said Veivers.

“I’m confident that the players I put out there will put in a performance.

“I had a long conversation with the guys and they are ready to give 100 per cent and their full energy,” he added.

“We’ve been in this position once before, against the same opposition. Our lads will aim up and try and get a result.”

Featherstone topped the Championship Shield, a point clear of Dewsbury Rams who were a point better off than London Broncos. Town were a further seven points adrift.

Town have yet to beat Featherstone this season, have lost in West Yorkshire 72-0 in May, before losing out 52-0 at the Zebra Claims Stadium in June.

And in August, Town put on a better show before going down 24-10 at home.

Rovers head coach Jon Sharp was pleased with the workout his side was given by London Broncos ahead of Sunday’s semi-final.

Although there was little for either team to play for in the game the tough nature of the match was just what Rovers needed ahead of their knockout game against Town.

Sharp said: “We went into the game knowing it didn’t really matter externally whether we won or lost, but internally it was very important that we wanted to finish off with a win and make it six out of seven.

“It was important we had a really good hit-out. I was hoping London would rock up and have a good crack at us because I think it gets you battle hardened and gets you ready for semi-final football.

“It was a bit of a preview I suppose of how you need to play in semi-finals.

“We were resolute, tough and patient. We had to battle against a team who were throwing stuff at us and we defended our line really well.

“The stats were telling us and the key indicators were telling us that at half-time we were doing okay even though we were 4-0 behind.

“In the second-half you could see what we had done in the first-half taking its toll on London. I thought they looked shattered after 60 minutes. They had thrown everything at us and we defended really well and finished off extremely strong.”

The other semi-final sees Dewsbury host London.