Whitehaven and Barrow are approaching tomorrow’s warm-up game at Craven Park from similar perspectives.

Getting their squads to the start of the new season, fit and firing, is key as both go into the game on the back of defeats.

Haven lost 24-6 to Workington Town in the Ike Southward Memorial game while Barrow went down 24-10 at home to Oldham.

Head coach Gary Charlton won’t be able to attend tomorrow, and will be leaving the quad in the capable hands of Jonty Gorley and Scott McAvoy.

But Charlton said: “Our aim throughout the pre-season is to prepare properly and improve game to game and week to week so that we are fully focused and ready for the first league game.”

Barrow boss Paul Crarey said: “The players know that they can improve from last Sunday and they told me when they walked off how disappointed they were, and Oldham were singing in the changing room.

“But, to me, it’s a friendly and we’ve learnt so much from past friendlies when we’ve got all out and played our best players and picked up injuries. We’re not in the market to do that this year.

“We can’t afford players to get injured, but we’ll unleash them against Whitehaven and improve week on week so we’ll be ready to go for Batley.”

Haven won’t have Brett Phillips, Chris Taylor or Sam Dowsett but are hoping Jessie Joe Parker’s visa clearance comes through.