INJURIES played a major part in Keighley's Arriva Cup defeat at Barrow last weekend -- but coach

Gary Moorby was furious that his side let a 20-0 lead slip through their fingers.

"I have to admit I had a few sharp words with the guys after the game, we blew a 20-0 lead and it was not an easy pill to swallow. We certainly didn't help ourselves by allowing a very good first half completion rate to deteriorate alarmingly in the second period. This allowed the bigger Barrow forwards to take advantage of the possession we gave them and we just could not contain them.

"On reflection, we had six players out of the line up: James Rushforth, Richard Mervill, Danny Ekis, (all injured) Craig Nipperess Jason Clegg (work commitments) and Simeon Hoyle was taken ill on the bus journey. Lee Patterson, who was injured, stood in for him at the last minute. We also had four 19-year-olds in the side who gave their all, and I am very proud of their efforts, but they were up against a pretty experienced side, so at the end of the day we were probably always up against it."

But after three successive defeats Moorby is determined to get the club's league campaign on track at Whitehaven on Sunday.

"This weekend's trip will certainly be as tough, if not tougher, than the journey to Barrow as Whitehaven have had a very good start to their season. Steve Mcormack has put together a very useful side that will take some beating, particulary at home.

"That said, all the pressure is on them to continue their form. We have worked on a few areas this week that hopefully we can put into the game on Sunday. The lads have worked well in training and the spirit remains upbeat," he said.

Jason Clegg and Craig Nipperess are both available and should be added to the squad giving extra strength in the forwards.

Doubts continue over James Rushforth who is struggling with chronic swelling around the area of his hernia operation. He has had a scan to check things out and everything is intact, but the two games over the Easter period caused a lot of inflamation that frustratingly can only settle down with complete rest.

Richard Mervill continues to struggle with ankle ligament damage and Danny Ekis has a badly swollen knee he picked up in the Batley game. Lee Patterson has a hernia and is going into the Yorkshire Clinic to have an operation on Saturday and is then likely to be out for six to eight weeks. Jamie Fielden has suspected cartlige damage and is due to see a consultant this week.

Moorby has approached a number of other clubs searching for loan players to help him beat the injury crisis. "We were very lucky with injuries last season, but now they all seem to have come at once.

"We are trying to bring in loan players to plug the gap, but in the meantime our own young players are gaining valuable experience at senior level.

"The first half was superb at Barrow, but we just didn't have the experience to hold things together later in the game," Moorby said.