Friendships will count for nothing for former Workington Town star Liam McAvoy when he looks to break hearts at his old club with Newcastle Thunder in a knockout play-offs clash this afternoon.

The former Broughton Red Rose amateur spent three years at Town, making 77 appearances and scoring two tries before leaving for Thunder ahead of the 2017 season, and still has friends in the dressing room from his time at Derwent Park.

But for 80 minutes any niceties will be cast aside while the two sides battle it out in the League 1 play-offs semi-finals (4pm kickoff) at Kingston Park.

He said: "I've always enjoyed playing Town; I love it over there especially because of the crowd.

"I'm looking forward to it and I know a few of the lads who used to play there when I did so it'll be good to see them after.

"But it's knockout rugby now and this is what you play the game for.

"We're looking to go all the way in these play-offs and that starts against Town this weekend."

McAvoy has made 72 appearances for Thunder, scoring nine tries.

"I think I've had an up and down season," he said.

"When Simon Finnigan came in as head coach earlier this season, he took us to another level, brought in a lot of lads and there's a really good buzz about it now."