Workington Town coach Dave Clark believes this weekend's Challenge Cup trip to Newcastle Thunder will provide the best test yet of how his side is developing.

A good start to 2017 has seen Town put in promising displays in defeat against Widnes Vikings Under-19s and Huddersfield Giants and do the double over fierce rivals Whitehaven in the Ike Southward Memorial Trophy and the League One Cup.

But Clark expects in-form Newcastle to be stiff opposition, despite the possibility both sides may have one eye on their League One opening weekend clash next Sunday.

Clark said: "I don't want to play down this game because Newcastle have had a good pre-season.

"A few weeks ago they dominated Whitehaven and they dominated Hunslet at the weekend.

"It'll be a good challenge for us and for our squad to keep performing.

"The opportunity is there for us to progress and it's a one-off occasion to perform at our best.

"It's a chance to build momentum."

On-loan forward Conor Fitzsimmons and Alex Szostak hope to be back in contention tomorrow and, with returns for John Patrick and Jason Mossop in the near future, Clark is happy with his options.

"It's a headache for myself regarding selection and giving everyone an opportunity, keeping the squad focused but it's good to have," he said.

"I'd rather be in this situation than have no players fit.

"It's an opportunity for me to move some players around and hopefully get close to what my first team is going to be.

"We tried some new combinations against Whitehaven and it might be that this weekend we put a player somewhere he's not comfortable to see how he copes."