Blockbusting front-rower Fuifui Moimoi is back in contention as Workington Town welcome Newcastle Thunder on Sunday afternoon.

The powerhouse prop has served the final match of his suspension from last season and he is set to make a welcome return to action at Derwent Park.

This is a huge boost to coach Leon Pryce, who was down to the bare bones for last weekend’s clash with Siddal in the Challenge Cup.

Assistant coach Craig McDowell said Moimoi’s return would be “massive” for the whole team.

“Certainly Fui will be back in contention this weekend and he has been training hard, and he has shed a few pounds from the off-season,” said McDowell.

“He is really raring to go and it is a massive boost for us. To be able to bring in somebody like Fui, either off the bench or from the start, is fantastic.

“Fui runs really hard and strong and he has that bit of pace as well if he breaks the line. He is just good to have around the boys – they all like him and he is a great character to have in the changing room.”

The next couple of weeks will be telling for Town as they welcome Newcastle to Derwent Park twice in succession, first in the league and then in the fourth round of the Challenge Cup.

McDowell admitted they will have to move up a gear from last weekend’s win over Siddal if they want to triumph over a Thunder side, boosted by the addition of Denis Betts as their new director of rugby.

“We were a bit disappointed with the performances against Siddal, albeit that they had prepared well and gave us a tough game,” added McDowell.

“But we will be expecting a bit of a tougher game against Newcastle, especially as they have brought Denis Betts in.”

Town should be in a healthier position than last week when they only named 16 players on the team sheet.

Moimoi is back in contention, as is Gordon Maudling, with Andrew Dawson also back to fitness, along with Caine Barnes and Tom Curwen.