Town eye win against under-strength Hornets

Workington Town will look to bounce back from their shock midweek Co-operative Championship One defeat at Gateshead on Wednesday night when they face a severely under-strength Rochdale Hornets.

Workington's hopes of finishing top of Championship One were ruined when they were stunned by a Gateshead Thunder side that ended a run of 64 matches without a win against professional opposition.

Joint coaches Martin Oglanby and Gary Charlton will assess any injuries from that game and look for a response from their side against Rochdale.

Town will definitely be without suspended winger Elliot Miller, but they are able to welcome back second rower Brett Phillips, who has completed a one-match ban.

Rochdale expect to name a host of young debutants with their squad stretched to its limits.

Already without five players through suspension following the recent game with South Wales Scorpions, caretaker coach Chris Hough also has other members of his squad unavailable.

Hough himself, Phil Braddish, Dayne Donoghue, Gary Middlehurst and Steve Bannister are the players banned as Hornets bid to secure a play-off place.

Tony Stewart and Andy Taylor are away on pre-arranged holidays, Mark Hobson requires an operation on his eye, and Steve McDermott is out with a groin complaint that could also need surgery.

With Joe Fitzpatrick also unavailable due to personal reasons, Hornets are expected to field a host of youngsters at Derwent Park.