Town star Liam Campbell to play at Keighley

Last updated 10:46, Saturday, 06 September 2008

Liam Campbell will make a late start to Workington Town’s season at Keighley tomorrow and coach Dave Rotheram is pinning his hopes on it not being his final appearance of the campaign.

Liam Campbell

A Town defeat in their NL2 play-off opener will bring an end to their season, and after four defeats against the Cougars this term, in league and cup, the hosts will be hot favourites (3pm).

But with hooker Shaun Lunt making his first appearance since early last month, after recovering from a long-term back problem, and Chris Young, Bryce Poisel and Iain Marsh also available, Town will boast one of their stronger line-ups of the year.

Campbell has missed the entire season following knee reconstruction surgery and will start on the bench tomorrow.

He suffered the injury in a pre-season squad trip to a judo club in Kendal. Later selected for the festive friendly against Haven, he aggravated the problem in the warm-up.

“He’s itching to play, now,” Rotheram said. “Liam’s been training with us for around a month and done all the work with the squad. Fitness won’t be an issue.

“Shaun’s also had a good week in training, and these two can win you a game. We have under-achieved a fair bit and this is our last opportunity to show we are better than eighth place.

“But Keighley are good on their own ground, and for me, are the most improved team in the league this year.

“We’ve scored 20 points against them three times, and defending is the key to winning this game. Give Keighley a sniff down our end and they will hurt us.”