Whitehaven won’t be short of support for their Ladbrokes Challenge Cup trip to France next week.

Sixty fans are flying out to Perpignan to cheer on their favourites in the sixth-round tie against the Catalans Dragons.

It will be the first time that Whitehaven have played a competitive game in France and the fans want to share the experience.

“Our fans have been magnificent when they follow us to matches. Last week at Keighley, they were fantastic and it’s much appreciated by the players," said coach Carl Forster.

“That was the best performance since I got the job and the fans had a part to play.

"I know they will enjoy the experience in France and provide some outstanding support."

The official Whitehaven party will fly out on Friday morning from Manchester and will return on Sunday. The game has a 2.30pm kick-off (UK time) on Saturday.

First things first, however, and that means Sunday’s League One clash with North Wales Crusaders gives Haven an opportunity to consolidate their place in the play-off berths.

But injuries dominate the thoughts of coach Forster who was making an anxious treatment room check last night on the state of health of several players who took knocks in the hard-earned win at Keighley.

“Stuart Howarth has been out for about a month with a hamstring problem and I’m hoping he’s close to a recall,” said Forster.

But he knows that Callum Phillips and Kris Coward represent the biggest doubts after last Sunday.

The bonus is that skipper Marc Shackley will be back after having to drop out of the trip to Keighley.

“Our last two performances have been outstanding but we mustn’t let our standards drop because North Wales are in the bottom four," said Forster.

“I know quite a few of their players and there are some good ones among them.

"They can make it tough for us if we don’t go in with the right attitude."