CARL FORSTER is anticipating a “massive” Sunday showdown as North Wales Crusaders seek a return to winning ways.

Crusaders, who have lost their last four matches, are back in League One action on Sunday as they head to Midlands Hurricanes.

With the play-off picture in mind, it is a big encounter, with North Wales seventh in the rankings, while Hurricanes are in fifth spot.

Looking ahead to the match-up, head coach Forster told CruCast: “It’s massive.

“It’s been well documented the spend that Midlands have made.

“They’ve obviously picked up a great scalp at Workington away and then conceded that Cornwall home (game).

“So, we’ve just got to prepare for the best Midlands possible and they’ll probably be looking at us as a must-win game as well and they’ll be looking at us to think that they can probably get a win at home.

“So, it’ll be a tough game and the pressure’s on both teams, if I’m honest.”

The sides last met in March, when Crusaders ran out 20-14 winners.

Pat Ah Van (2), Ryan Ellis and Forster grabbed the home tries on that day, while ex-Crusader Brad Billsborough marked his return to North Wales with one of Midlands’ scores.

From Forster’s perspective, he is looking for his side to become a bit more ruthless following a tough run of matches.

“I feel like at the minute, I won’t say the story of our season, but I feel like the points that we’re scoring we’re having to work really hard for them,” he said.

“We’re having to earn every single point we do and we’re kind of just letting teams off the hook, you know, when they’re scoring their points.

“I’m not saying they don’t deserve them, but I feel like we’ve got a bit of a soft belly when we should be tightening things up and be a little bit more ruthless.

“We’ve got within two points (against Keighley) and within 60 seconds of scoring, we’re back to eight points and a good team like Keighley, you just can’t do it.

“They put you to the sword.”

Jack Holmes will be missing this week after failing a head impact assessment (HIA).

Owain Abel remains out with a knee injury, but there could be positive news shortly with Forster stating his return “might be a lot sooner than we realise”.

The big match of the day on Sunday is the battle of the leading duo.

Second-placed Keighley Cougars play host to front-runners Oldham, who have won all seven of their matches so far this season.

Elsewhere, Hunslet have home advantage against Cornwall and Rochdale Hornets pay a visit to Newcastle Thunder.