Jason Mossop will make his 200th appearance for Workington Town when he walks out at Oldham on Sunday.

And coach Phil Veivers has praised his vice captain for the leadership skills he has shown throughout the past season.

The centre has been one of the most consistent performers in what has been a tough season for Town.

"It is a tremendous achievement for Jason," said Veivers. "It is a phenomenal in this day and age when players move about a lot.

"Since I have been here he has been in my leadership group and this year he was a vice captain.

"He is thought of very highly by everyone at the club and defensively he is very, very strong.

"He has been a very important member of the team to me over the past couple of years and I am sure he was just as important to previous coaches."

The former Hensingham amateur, who has been staying with his parents in Moresby, signed for Castleford Tigers at the age of 17 and played in the same academy team as Town ’s Shaun Lunt when they beat St Helens in the Academy Grand Final in 2004.

He had spells with Doncaster, Batley and Sheffield but has spent most of his career at the Zebra Claims Stadium.

Mossop made his Town debut in a 28-24 National League Two defeat at Hunslet on July 8, 2007.

"You don't get that kind of longevity amongst players these days," added Veivers.

"They don't often stay loyal to a club for that length of time to record this kind of achievement so to reach it is a great testament to Jason."

Games don't come much bigger than this Sunday's trip to Bower Fold with both clubs desperate for a win to stay in the Championship.

Oldham are currently three points better off than bottom two Workington and Whitehaven and a Roughyeds win on Sunday would make it difficult for the Cumbrian clubs to catch them.

If Workington were to win their fourth game in a row, though, Scott Naylor's men would be under enormous pressure to win the next game at Swinton, who lead 2-1 in their three derby clashes already this season.