Jonty Gorley insists Workington Town’s young guns will not be fazed by the physical threat of demanding Doncaster.

Derwent Park’s assistant coach says his players are desperate to put their disappointing defeat to Hunslet right this weekend.

And, in doing so, they’ve been putting the training ground practice in to ensure they are prepared for the physical challenge that Doncaster will present when they visit west Cumbria on Sunday.

Town had no game at the weekend, leaving their squad and staff to stew on the 30-22 loss against Hunslet on their last outing, a result which kept them seventh in the League One table.

Gorley admits it will be a relief to make up for it with a strong showing against Doncaster.

“Players love to be playing, especially after a defeat,” he said.

“It was tough to take after the Hunslet game, not having a chance to put things right.

“We had lighter training last week to give the lads a freshen up.

“I watched Doncaster on video and they’re the same every year, a big lot with some quality.

“They’re a physical side and they’ve got some lads who have been playing in the Championship so we know it will be a tough ask.”

Gorley admitted the season has already had highs and lows.

But he is confident that Town’s young team, built with a core of players from the local amateur scene, can improve and develop together.

“Top eight to me, from where we were at the end of last season, would be an achievement,” Gorley added.

“It’s been disappointing because teams haven’t played well to beat us, we’ve beaten ourselves with silly mistakes.

“The frustrating thing is that when we play well, we play really well but that shows what we are capable of.”

Doncaster sit three places – and three points – above Town in the League One table.

Whitehaven are one place and three points above Doncaster, in third position. They travel to mid-table Oxford on Sunday.