NORTH WALES CRUSADERS’ injury concerns continue to bite ahead of a pivotal weekend in League One.

Carl Forster’s side could do with a victory at Workington Town to bolster their hopes of qualifying for the end-of-season play-offs.

While some big players could be in line to return for the seventh-placed Crusaders, others are sure to be missing.

Head coach Forster told CruCast: “We’re getting over this injury slump.

“I know we’re not going to see Owain (Abel) and Pat Rainford again this season.

“But, we are gradually getting players back. Matt Reid should be back training Wednesday, so hopefully, with them more bodies, we can put a bit more (in training).”

Crusaders’ training sessions over recent weeks have seen a reduced number of players in attendance and Forster added: “Reidy’s experienced. He gets us over the line in big games and he knows how important he is to us.

“So, that will be a good one to welcome back, whether that’s this weekend, I’m not entirely sure.

“He’s not trained with the squad yet, so we’ll see how he reacts... on Friday.

“Obviously, Matty (Unsworth) and Toby (Hughes) coming back in as well.

“It just gives us more numbers, because, obviously, last weekend we lost Adam Carr, lost Kenny Baker.

“So, I’m saying two or three are coming in, but two or three will be going out as well.”

Crusaders have five games left to play this season in their quest to finish in the top-six and reach those play-offs.

They trail fifth-placed Workington by four points heading into Sunday’s big showdown.

Meanwhile, Cru are two points adrift of Midlands Hurricanes, who are sixth.

If this weekend is anything like the last meeting between Crusaders and Workington, then spectators will be in for a treat.

Crusaders ran out 34-32 winners at Colwyn Bay’s Stadiwm CSM.

Tries from Jack Holmes, Shaun Costello, Kieran Taylor, Liam Cooper and Ben Evans kept Crusaders in touch over the course of the contest.

Then, in the last minute, captain Chris Barratt grabbed a match-levelling try and Ben Lane’s conversion won it for the home side.

North Wales, who had last weekend off, lost out 46-16 to Hunslet in their last runout, while Workington triumphed 32-24 at Hunslet last Sunday.

“It was more hope that Workington would, obviously, lose, but if you want me to be really honest, I fully expected Workington to win there, because they won there at the beginning of the season,” said Forster. “Overall, probably a better team.”

Midlands Hurricanes face a tough trip to leaders Oldham on Sunday, while second-placed Keighley Cougars welcome Newcastle Thunder.

Cornwall are away to Rochdale Hornets.