Marc Shackley is targeting a quick return to action when Barrow come back to the Recreation Ground for the start of the League One Eights.

The strong-running Whitehaven prop was an early casualty in Sunday’s 32-6 derby win and left the ground with the aid of crutches.

He said: “I think it looked worse than it was but, at the time, it was pretty painful. I’d felt a bit of tenderness in my calf in training on the Friday.

“But in the game, I was just turning round to run back when it was as if I’d been shot in the back of the calf. I’d never felt anything like that before.

“I knew I couldn’t continue because, coming off, I was unable to put any weight down on my toes.

“I’ve been having physio and haven’t done any training but I will be looking at giving it a go on Wednesday. It would be great to be able to be in the squad for Barrow again.”

In Shackley’s enforced absence, there were some big performances from Glenn Riley, Tommy Holland and Aiden Worthington, as well as player-coach Carl Forster who came in for some considerable attention.

“It was a very hard game and the lads did brilliantly. I think it’s great that we’ve got them first game up in the Eights because they won’t be looking forward to it after Sunday,” added Shackley.

“The thing is, if we beat them again, we will pull four points clear of them and that could be decisive.

“There are no easy games in the Super Eights and we just have to maintain the form we showed for 80 minutes against Barrow.

“Personally I’m looking forward to the trip to Canada, even though we won’t have much time to enjoy it. The game itself will be tough and the trip will be exhausting but at least Barrow have to go through the same thing.

“What we know is that if we can keep on winning, the play-off final will be at Whitehaven and we can’t ask for anything better than a home tie in such a big game as that."

Whitehaven, and the other League One sides, have a weekend off before starting the Super Eights on July 30.