Explosive full-back Tee Ritson is close to a return for Workington Town.

The talented youngster suffered an agonising knee injury on Newcastle Thunder’s artificial pitch in February, but Town director of rugby Les Ashe confirmed he is just a couple of weeks away from returning to action.

He added: “Gabriel Fell has done a sterling job at the back and Scott Rooke has filled in on occasion, but if we can get bodies back, it breeds competition for places and keeps everybody on their toes.

“As the season’s gone by, we’ve been unfortunate with injuries, but we’ve been able to replace them and the squad’s looking healthy now going into the business end of the campaign.”

Macauley Davies should also be back in contention soon, but Gordon Maudling will have a shoulder injury assessed ahead of this weekend’s game against London Skolars.

Ashe admitted Town made hard work of their 29-28 win over Coventry on Sunday, but believes they finally had the rub of the green, which has so often eluded them this season.

He said: “The opening quarter of the game we were completely dominant and very efficient.

“We controlled the ball and ruck well.

“Then, for the next two quarters, Coventry were probably the better side and will think themselves unfortunate not to have won the game.

“We were really pleased to get the win.

“On a couple of decisions we got the bounce of the ball I guess, but they tend to balance themselves out over the course of the season.

“Getting the win was very important to us at this stage to remain in the top eight.

“The three fixtures we’ve got left will be difficult, although two of them are at home.”

The game saw a number of debutants, with Danny Rasool grabbing his first try in Town colours, while Joe Prior and Jake Moore were substitutes, and Ashe said it was positive to see new blood beef up the squad.

He added: “It’s always nice to have fresh faces, although it will take time for them to bed in and learn the structures.”