McCormack's Barrow currently lie fourth in the Championship

Barrow Raiders coach Steve McCormack has hailed the resolve within the club in maintaining their Championship play-off bid despite a glut of injuries.

Key players such as Jamie Rooney and Zeb Luisi have missed games this season but their absence has failed to halt Barrow's push for the Grand Final.

McCormack told BBC Radio Cumbria: "It's testament to the players and staff.

"We're still in there fighting for what hopefully will be a tremendous back end of the year."

Meanwhile Gary Broadbent and Anthony Blackwood are expected to make their return in Saturday's visit of relegated Keighley Cougars.

Raiders' hopes of an easier ride in the play-offs rest on their final league position, and McCormack expects the Yorkshire outfit will pose a test of his side's credentials, despite their recent demotion to Championship One.

"The league table doesn't reflect how well Keighley have played," McCormack said.

"They had a nine-point deduction at the turn of the year because of financial problems and they always give us a good game.

"They beat Toulouse and on their day they're a good football side who'll test us, they've got players who'll be playing for contracts and knowing Barrie Eaton as I do, he'll have them fired up."

Last season Barrow were successful in both league and cup, reaching the Northern Rail competition only to suffer defeat by Widnes, before going on to clinch a Grand Final win at Warrington against Halifax.

Raiders are currently fourth in the Championship with two games in hand on leaders Featherstone Rovers.

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