WHITEHAVEN are giving serious consideration to asking Barrow Raiders to release them from Sunday’s friendly at Craven Park.

A crop of injuries, illness and unavailabilities have seriously dented Haven’s 22-strong squad.

Winger Phil Lister, who scored in Sunday’s 18-10 defeat by Swinton Lions, is being rested for a couple of weeks with an ankle problem.

Skipper Marc Shackley and new forward Lewis Reece also picked-up knocks in the Lions game.

Karl Olstrom has a shoulder injury, which kept him out of action, while Jack Cottington is still recovering from a knock he took at Widnes.

Stuart Howarth is only in light training after surgery on his elbow, while Connor Holliday has not played in either warm-up game so far because of an elbow injury.

Jason Mossop is just back in training after spending a few days in hospital, and Haven are still waiting for a return date for their Papua New Guinea players Jessie Joe Parker and Dion Aiye.

Haven chairman Tommy Todd said: “We will be keeping Barrow informed on the situation, but we will be looking to make a decision after the training session on Wednesday.

“It doesn’t help that the Rugby Football League won’t let you sign up amateurs to help out by making up numbers for a friendly.”