Last updated 19:45, Thursday, 31 July 2008

WORKINGTON Town skipper Dean Burgess will not be fit in time to lead his side against London Skolars at Derwent Park on Sunday (3pm).

There was hope earlier in the week that the 23-year-old prop, one of Town’s star performers this season, would have overcome his injury. But that is not the case.

Burgess said: “It’s so frustrating not being able to play.

“I picked up a dead arm against Oldham and the doctor has now said that he thinks it’s a ruptured muscle. There’s no treatment for it, just rest.

“I can’t play and it’s terrible just sitting watching.”

Town stopped the rot with their first win in six starts when they travelled to beat Hunslet Hawks 50-0 last Sunday.

Burgess added: “We are capable of beating any team in this division but we need to get a few back-to-back wins. Confidence is a huge factor as you can get into a habit of losing as you can winning.”

Coach Dave Rotheram is desperate for some luck on the injury front, and said: “Dean’s been a massive miss of late and, with Ryan Benjafield, Taani Lavulavu and Jamie Beaumont all being out, we are lacking in size in the pack.

“But, on the plus side, young Peter Dobson has done a fantastic job for us, having started the last five games.”

Less than 48 hours after touching down from a dream tour to Australia Town centre Jason Mossop twice touched down against Hunslet.

Mossop, 22, had jetted in from Australia after helping Wales to fourth spot in the Student World Cup, and then played a big part in Town’s win.

It was Town’s first National League Two victory in six starts, and Mossop, who had missed the previous four games due to his international call-up, was delighted to be a part of it.

Mossop said: “It was a good game and our defence was outstanding. A lot of times they had us pinned on our own line but we worked for each other.”

l See page 5 for new stadium story.

l Town Flyer: Monday, Stacey Burns, C1494; Tuesday, N McNicholas, Crosby, C4603; Wednesday, Mrs Tomlinson, Seaton, D7514; yesterday JC Johnston, Cockermouth, B1469; today, Mandy Watson, Seaton, C8062.