SKIPPER Jarrad Stack is on the verge of a return for Barrow Raiders’ trip to Halifax Panthers in the Championship.

He is joined in the squad by Greg Worthington, Roman Silva and Furness Raider, Finn McMillan, who come in for the injured trio Ryan Shaw, Kavan Rothwell and Matty Costello.

Stack and Worthington have sat out the last two fixtures through injury along with Ryan Johnston, but the good news is that they are back in contention for a battle of the lower region of the Championship.

Halifax, who pulled off a shock win at Craven Park two months ago 38-28 after trailing 28-12, are in 10th position on 14 points, a place above Barrow who are on 13.

Raiders head coach Paul Crarey will be looking for a replacement kicker with Shaw out and second kicker Johnston also on the treatment table.

Luke Creswell, Luke Broadbent and Brad Walker are the likely ones to get the nod.

Crarey was delighted with the points gained against Bradford Bulls last week (24-24)

He said: “I thought we were very patient last week, our completion rate was 90 per cent, and our ruck control was good, and we had only two enforced errors and only gave away two penalties.

“So we look to take that good work into tomorrow's difficult game with Halifax.

“We won't be looking at injuries as an excuse this week, players come in players go out, and it is in everyone’s hands to go out and perform.

“As a group we are close, and we all enjoy the challenges that come our way.

“We are still in the process of improvement as we go into every game, and the next few weeks are going to be vital as to whether we stay up or go down.

“I have every confidence in this bunch of players, they work hard for each other, and tomorrow along with next week's game at bottom-placed Dewbury, to be followed with a home game with Swinton could go along way towards our destination.”

Halifax, like Barrow, Swinton and Whitehaven are all in a dog fight with Batley and York who themselves are not out of the mire.

The point last week took Barrow out of the bottom two places moving from 13th to 11th ahead of Swinton and Whitehaven.

Both of these clubs have to visit Barrow in what will turn out to be four pointers.

Last week Halifax were 38-22 home winners over York City Knights and have threats across the park with the danger coming from half-backs Joe Keyes and Louis Joufrett.