CARL FORSTER says the next five matches could well define North Wales Crusaders’ League One season.

On a tough run of five defeats in a row in the league, Crusaders have matches against Workington Town, Newcastle Thunder, Cornwall and Midlands Hurricanes coming up.

First up is tomorrow’s home meeting with second-placed Oldham, who will be smarting after their unbeaten start to the campaign was ended by leaders Keighley Cougars last time out.

Asked if the next five matches were the season, head coach Forster told CruCast: “Yes. You can’t sugar-coat it.

“Oldham got beat (on Sunday). It’s strange how this division works, but you look at the Oldham fixture.

“Obviously, no expectations, you know, they should be doing this, they should be doing that, all the talk’s about them.

“I just said to the boys... we’ve kind of got to go out there, enjoy it. No pressure, play with that freedom, so to speak, and then it’s the Challenge Cup final.

“Everyone will have the week off and then it’s kind of just pressing that reset button.”

Crusaders will go into the game on the back of an 18-10 loss away to Midlands Hurricanes.

Tries from Pat Ah Van and Matt Reid helped Crusaders into a 10-6 interval advantage, only for Midlands to turn things around in the second period.

However, there has been some positive news for the club ahead of tomorrow’s big challenge.

Forster said: “We get Pat Rainford back this week, which I think is absolutely huge.”

Rainford has served a six-game suspension after he was penalised for interfering with an injured player during Crusaders’ opening day victory away to Cornwall.

“I think he’s been a huge miss for us,” added Forster.

“He’s an experienced player... that we’ve been missing.

“Owain Abel, I’m hoping he’ll be back after the Challenge Cup final.

“He’s another one, although he’s young and, with all respect, he’s very inexperienced at this level, he’s a natural-born leader. Our vice-captain.

“So, them two will obviously be in the team after the Challenge Cup and I think that will be massive for us.”

The last meeting between the two sides was certainly a memorable one, with Crusaders knocking Oldham out of last season’s League One play-offs on their own turf.

A late drop-goal secured a 13-12 victory for Forster’s side on that occasion.

However, fortunes have since changed and Oldham are riding high this year as they battle for the league crown.

On Sunday, league leaders Keighley will pay a visit to Midlands Hurricanes, while Newcastle Thunder are faced with an epic trek to Cornwall.

Elsewhere, Workington Town welcome Hunslet.