Whitehaven half-back Sam Forrester has been to see a neurologist before he can be cleared to play in tomorrow’s home match against North Wales Crusaders.

Forrester was knocked out briefly in Sunday’s defeat at Newcastle Thunder, and that was the second such occurrence in the last 12 months.

Coach Gary Charlton said: “We have to follow the rugby league protocol in these sort of cases. Sam will find out the neurologist’s view and then, if he is cleared to play, the final decision will be left to the player. If Sam says he is ready to return, then he will be in contention for a starting place. Whatever happens, the player’s welfare comes first.”

Whitehaven weren’t happy about the second challenge on Forrester as he lay on the ground from a fair tackle. It was that which caused him to briefly lose consciousness. If Forrester misses out tomorrow, then is most likely to start at stand-off.

Definitely ruled out for the game is second-row forward Brett Phillips who was also in the wars against Newcastle. He suffered a small fracture to his eye-socket, which will keep him out for up to a maximum of six weeks. Four players who didn’t figure at Newcastle – Ethan Kelly, Sam Dowsett, Kurt Maudling and Andrew Bulman – will come back into the reckoning. It’s all part of Charlton’s rotation policy to keep all members of his squad fully involved on what the club are trying to achieve this season.