Workington Town half-back Carl Forber will rack up his 200th appearance for the club in Sunday’s crunch west Cumbrian derby.

Forber is currently in his second spell at the Zebra Claims Stadium and coach Phil Veivers praised the amount of hard work he puts in.

Forber has forced his way back into the side as the season has progressed and is showing some of his best form.

“Over the three years I have been here he has been a very good player for us,” said Veivers. “There have been times he has been left out but he just puts his head down, knuckles down to some hard work and forces his way back into the side.

“He didn’t play in the last match against Whitehaven but he has come back and held down his place, which is all credit to him.

“It will be great for him to reach his 200 appearances.”

Forber first made his debut for the club in a 44-18 Northern Rail Cup home defeat to Whitehaven in February 2007. He went on to make 75 appearances before leaving midway through the 2009 season.

After spells with Blackpool, Swinton and Oldham, he rejoined Town to begin the 2012 campaign, making his second debut in a 28-14 Northern Rail Cup home defeat to Sheffield in February, 2012.

He has played 124 games for the club since then.

Veivers believes the loss of coach James Coyle will not adversely affect the way Haven come out against them on Sunday.

“At the end of the day it could go either way, they could capitulate or put their hands up and show what the team is made of for the outgoing coach,” said Veivers.

“I expect they will aim up and have a shot when they take us on.”

And Veivers does not expect any major changes in the way the Whitehaven side will line-up to play.

“I think they have to carry on with what they have been doing all year,” he added.

“I don’t expect any major changes in the way they play. We just need to go out there and play at a good tempo.”