Workington Town prop forward Marc Shackley is urging his teammates to up their game following the news that skipper Graeme Mattinson will miss Sunday's clash with Dewsbury.

Mattinson suffered an arm injury after falling off a bicycle during a rehabilitation session on Monday which rules him out of the game.

Town are preparing for their first home game of the Super 8's having lost to Oldham on the road last time out.

Is it unknown yet how long Mattinson will be out for.

Shackley said: "It's massive. He's a big influence in our team. Hopefully the lads can step in and do a good job.

"Maybe Callum Phillips or Jamie Doran will play in his place and step up to the mark.

"Graeme's the captain and has been good for us, especially in the last couple of weeks.

"He's played his best rugby this year and he's a character in our team."

Coach Phil Veivers is also sweating on the fitness of Callum Phillips and Sam Forrester who are recovering from rib and thumb injuries respectively.

Town defeated Dewsbury 22-20 at home during the regular season, but lost the away fixture 38-16.

A win for Town could put them within two points of safety and they have a better points difference than Swinton in sixth and bottom of the pile Whitehaven.

Shackley added: "Dewsbury will be a very tough game. We played them three or four weeks ago and scraped through with a two-point win.

"We should win all our home games and hopefully we can start with this one, beat Whitehaven and then kick on."

Veivers will announce his squad for the Dewsbury fixture tomorrow.