Leon Pryce admitted he needs some bodies back in the Workington Town squad ahead of this weekend’s clash with Newcastle Thunder in League One.

Sunday is the first game of two against Newcastle at Derwent Park, firstly in the league and then in the fourth round of the Coral Challenge Cup.

And Pryce, head coach of Workington, said that numbers had been thin on the ground but he was hoping for a healthier outlook this coming weekend.

Ollie Wilkes left the field looking a little battered and bruised after Sunday’s win over Siddal but Pryce is confident his skipper will be ready to take on Thunder.

“Ollie will be okay, he’s a really tough cookie,” said Pryce. “But if I am being completely honest we could do with a couple of the boys back this week.

“We are very light on numbers but that is just what happens when you have a small squad and pick up injuries.”

Gordon Maudling should be back in contention after missing the Siddal clash due to a family commitment, while Fuifui Moimoi should also be back after serving out his suspension.

And Pryce should also have the luxury of using dual registration if needed, which he could not do in the cup match.

He said that this week, his side would have to work on their ball control as he feels that is what is letting them down at key moments.

And Newcastle will be a tough nut to crack after making a key appointment at the weekend, snapping up former Wigan and Widnes coach and England assistant coach Dennis Betts as their director of rugby.

Betts has joined Thunder with immediate effect and will take charge of all first-team duties, with his first match in charge being at Workington on Sunday.

“I think we can be quite critical but we have to remember we have come a long way,” added Pryce.

“We defended really well, the defence has picked up and we are not doing so bad in the league so I just want to sort our ball control out as we are still making too many errors that are putting us under pressure.

“We played well in the first 15 minutes against Siddal and then we get bored of sticking to a process and completing sets and to looking after the ball but we are happy with where we are at.

“We know there is still a bit of improvement in us but we’re ok.”