Garry Schofield happy with Barrow Raiders squad

Barrow coach Schofield has been in charge at Craven Park since November

New Barrow Raiders coach Gary Schofield is unlikely to make any more pre-season signings as he is pleased with his Championship squad at Craven Park.

"I've got 22 fit players," Schofield told BBC Cumbria, after Sunday's 40-0 friendly win over Cumbrian rivals Workington Town.

"There's no point in me having 30 players here when they're not playing. I'll have an unhappy dressing room."

Schofield has so far brought in prop Jamie Thackray and hooker Mark Gleeson.

Admittedly, Schofield has already lost James Coyle until March, with a knee cartilage injury suffered in the Raiders' 30-28 win over Swinton in their first friendly on 9 January.

But former Great Britain man Thackray, signed from Crusaders, got on the scoresheet, and Warrington old boy Gleeson, Schofield's signing from Halifax, also impressed after coming on for the second half against Workington.

"They're quality players," said Schofield. "They proved that in Super League.

"The players around them understand what they can do going forward ball in hand, and the creativity that they've got, not just the tries they can score themselves, but also creating tries for the support players as well.

Schofield also has New Zealander Zeb Luisi due back Raiders this week after sorting out his visa.

And that will leave him with an almost completely fit squad at his disposal when Barrow's season kicks off on 6 February with a Northern Rail Cup tie against newly-promoted Championship rivals York.

"The squad's taking shape," said Schofield. "I'm delighted with the quality that I've got.

Mark Gleeson, brother of Wigan's Martin, has won two caps with England

"The only downer is that young James Coyle getting injured, but the good thing about that is that it's only six weeks."

Schofield gets his best chance to judge the potential of his squad when the Raiders face champions Wigan in their next friendly this Sunday (23 January).

Although the Warriors are not expected to field any more than just a few of their first team players, Schofield is not underestimating their quality.

"They're all full time," he said. "They'll be well organised and be looking to ask plenty of questions of our defensive line.

"I'll be putting a very strong side out there to look at the overall shape I'm looking for and the organisation."