Whitehaven unchanged for vital clash

Don Gailer could name an unchanged side as he chases the win that would see Whitehaven promoted to the Co-operative Championship.

Victory for 'Haven would guarantee a top-four finish, and only Stephen Fox (ankle) needs checking ahead of Sunday's showdown with Gateshead Thunder.

Gailer said: "We've got to win one more game and then we can't get kicked out of the top four, but we need to make sure we don't slip up, because that can happen so easily.

"We really need to keep a tight focus on things. This is one of those games where everything could come unstuck. We've got to do our best to make sure that doesn't happen."

Thunder coach Kevin Neighbour is expecting to use the same squad that was due to face Workington last week until severe weather forced a postponement of the fixture.

Neighbour said: "Whitehaven know they only need three points to go up, but we'll do whatever we can.

"We'll worry about ourselves and whatever happens, happens. We know Whitehaven's a tough place to go, and they're in good form at the moment."