Powerhouse prop Phil Joseph will be in contention for Workington Town’s rematch with Newcastle Thunder this weekend.

Joseph missed last Saturday’s 18-16 defeat at the hands of Thunder in the Challenge Cup in the north east.

But Town director of rugby Les Ashe says his return will give them a boost for their first league match in front of a home crowd at Derwent Park on Sunday (ko 3pm).

“There is no substitute for experience, either in the dressing room or on the park,” said Ashe.

“The league is our main priority, which is what we have always said and it starts this weekend. The real hard work starts here and we have to be ready for it.”

Club captain Jason Mossop and Alex Szostak are also close to returning as the Kingstone Press League 1 kicks into gear.

But Town will be without talented full-back Tee Ritson, who picked up an injury in the narrow cup defeat at Newcastle.

Ritson is being assessed by the club’s medical team to gauge the extent of the injury.

Stevie Scholey and Stuart Howarth will also be assessed this week after picking up knocks but Ashe is confident they will be fit to play.

In the longer term, Brad Fearon aggravated an old shoulder injury in the first match against Widnes and is currently awaiting a date for an appointment with the specialist. And John Patrick is still a few weeks away from a return.

Ashe is hopeful that Town can reverse last weekend’s cup result and get off to the right start in the league.

“We were 16-0 up and for them to pull back from that they obviously have something,” he added.

“So I think it will be an interesting game this weekend.”