Last updated at 11:59, Saturday, 08 September 2012

BARRY Richardson pledged stiff competition for places can drive Whitehaven on to sudden death success against Rochdale tomorrow (3pm).

Crunch time: Graeme Mattinson, left, and Carl Sice

Haven have managed to avoid the end-of-season struggle for numbers which often afflicts clubs at this crucial time and will select from a squad of 19.

Hooker Carl Sice is available after completing a suspension and potentially waiting in the wings if Haven beat the Hornets are Danny Barker and Shane Ackerley. Both are nursing minor knocks after returning from loan spells at Gateshead, while back-row pair Martyn Wilson and Stephen Fox are carrying ankle injuries.

“Stephen and Martyn have done exceptionally well and established themselves in the team this year,” said chief executive Richardson. “Hopefully they will come back and put pressure on for places in the play-offs. Players need to know if they don’t play well someone is there to take their place.

“But they are really determined to perform well in the play-offs.

“In one-off games, you get beat if you don’t perform and Rochdale will be no pushovers. We want to build on our good performance against North Wales last week where they all settled down and played some good football.”

Rochdale look set to be bolstered by the return of experienced players Andy Taylor, Tony Stewart and Danny Ekis.

First published at 10:49, Saturday, 08 September 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk