Whitehaven are struggling ahead of their big game at York tomorrow with key players looking doubtful.

It’s been a common theme throughout the season, and just underlines how well the team has done to still be in contention for a play-off place approaching the final fixture.

Leading the list of casualties is skipper Marc Shackley, and also considered very doubtful are strong-running winger Dave Thompson and highly-rated half-back Callum Phillips.

Player-coach Carl Forster said: “Shacks has been troubled with his shoulder for most of the season but took a really bad bang on it against Coventry on Sunday.

“Callum is another who has been playing with knocks and he is nursing a hamstring at the moment, again aggravated against Coventry.

“Dave didn’t play last week because his partner was due to give birth and that didn’t happen so he’s more or less in the same situation, unless thing change before Sunday.

“In addition Scott McAvoy, who wasn’t used last week, is still struggling with knocks he has accumulated over the last few weeks.”

Lewis Brown is still not able to return because of a shoulder injury that he has been carrying since the derby win at Workington.

The one bright spot was that James Tilley will be able to return to the squad after missing last week’s game through work commitments.

Whitehaven are taking two coaches of supporters to Bootham Crescent as Whitehaven bid to cement fifth place in the League One table.

Defeats today for Oldham (at London Skolars) and Hunset (at Coventry) would leave Haven in fifth, whatever happens tomorrow.

Andy Ellis, the Knights hooker, will make his 350th and final career appearance against Whitehaven as the table-toppers look to secure the Betfred League One title with a win over their visitors.