Workington Town have moved quickly to sign ex-Coventry Bears pivot Joe Prior – after Callum Phillips was handed a second ban from the RFL disciplinary committee.

Half-back / hooker Prior has signed a deal to keep him at Derwent Park until the end of the season.

And he could be set for an early return to Coventry, as Workington head there for a League One encounter on Sunday.

Ashe has been working hard to bolster the squad in the last few days after injuries struck and Phillips received a second suspension of a further three matches to the two he received a week earlier.

Phillips pleaded guilty by letter to the disciplinary panel this week after being charged with a Grade C dangerous contact in the clash at North Wales Crusaders and was banned for three matches with a £75 fine.

Ashe said: “It’s been a mad rush to register Joe to be available for the match this Sunday.

"In fact, we started the process on Thursday morning and just managed to get the paperwork in to the RFL before the lunchtime deadline.

“I watched Joe at the Whitehaven v Coventry match earlier in the season and he stood out.

“He can play six, seven or nine and will do a great job for us. He is an ex-Wigan Under-19, played at Leigh and is a great organiser on the field. He is a tough defender and has a great rugby brain.”

Ashe is determined to bolster Dave Clark’s depleted squad and is hopeful of two further signings shortly.

He added: “We’re nearly halfway through the season and the rigours of the game do take their toll at this point.

“The positive news is that we’re actively and successfully seeking replacements and a couple of our long-term injured players are due back shortly.”