Last updated 19:46, Thursday, 07 August 2008

WORKINGTON Town travel to Keighley on Sunday as the NL2 league probgramme comes down to the last three games.

And influencial play-maker Shaun Lunt, who missed Sunday’s win over London Skolars, could be back in the line-up.

However, definitely out is Bryce Poisel who left the Skolars game after 20 minutes with a shoulder injury.

Coach Dave Rotheram said: “There is a chance that Shaun will play - it is not as bad as we first thought - but Bryce won’t play. He has seen the physio but he still has trouble lifting his arm.”

Rotheram will now have to wait and see if the Australian recovers in time for the last two crunch matches of the regular season.

But Town’s sights will be firmly set on Keighley this weekend, with Rotheram determined to pick up his first win against the Cougars this season.

He said: “We have played Keighley three times this year and they have all been tight games and I think it is about time we won one.

“We have not been far off and hopefully it will all come together this weekend.”

Keighley came out on top 22-18 and 26-22 in the two Northern Rail Cup meetings early in the year and then came to Derwent Park in the league and went home 16-8 victors.

Lunt was replaced during the Skolars game by Scott Burgess whose performance earned praise from chairman Dave Bowden.

The former Great Clifton Lion signed pro forms with Town in December and looks to be ever improving, which delights Bowden.

The chairman said: “Some of his breaks on Sunday were eye catching. The more he applies himself the better he gets and I think there is still room for him to grow further in the National Leagues.”

Burgess, brother of prop Dean, scored in the opening minute of the second half at Derwent Park and he helped to create a number of breaks during the clash.

Town are currently four points clear of Swinton, who are their nearest rivals for eighth place, the final play-off place in the division.

And Swinton coach Paul Kidd has admitted that Town are now in the driving seat for that last slot.

Both sides face tough run-ins with Town travelling to Keighley on Sunday, followed by leaders Gateshead at Derwent Park and away to Oldham.

Swinton go to in-form Rochdale before entertaining Oldham and then second-placed Barrow on the final day.

Kidd said: “I think we both have very tough run-ins. Rochdale are in-form and Oldham and Barrow are both chasing automatic promotion so it is going to be tough for us and I would have to say that Workington are in the driving seat.

“Mathematically it is still possible for us but we are coming off the back of a seven-match losing run before the weekend so there has not been much talk of play-offs in our dressing room.”

Town’s Travellers Rest Supporters Club are organising a sportsman’s dinner on September 5 with guest speaker former GB international prop Shaun Wane.

The dinner is at the Washington Central Hotel, Workington, and will cost £25 a head. To book, contact Tony Boyd on 07764 880105 or 01900 63620.

l Town and Workington Cricket Club will play a Twenty20 game, sponsored by Tesco, at the cricket club on Monday evening in aid of Workington Lifeboat.

The game starts at 6pm. Generous, free-spending spectators will be very welcome. Refreshments and a bar will be available.

l See page 11 for public reaction to new sports stadium plans.

l Town Flyer: Monday, M Henderson, Seaton, B0633; Tuesday, J Holding, Salterbeck, C6308; Wednesday, R Armstrong, Workington, D5212; yesterday, E R Hockley, Cockermouth, B6424; today Kelly Smith, Workington, D0873.