CRAIG Lingard goes into Sunday’s friendly at Barrow on a high but with new injury worries.

Matty Beharrell’s drop goal at the death secured a dramatic victory over arch rivals Bradford last weekend but the game didn’t come without a cost, with Ritchie Hawkyard, Adam Brook and Nathan Conroy all sidelined.

They join a number of other players on the treatment table as Cougars head into the first of their final two pre-season friendlies ahead of the start of the competitive season against Doncaster on February 19.

Head coach Craig Lingard said: “Nathan Conroy left the ground on crutches after picking up an ankle injury.

"We’re not too sure on how bad the damage it is at the moment but the physio said it could be anything from a sprain to ligament damage.

“If it is to be the worst case scenario with Nath’s ligaments, then he’ll be looking between three to six weeks out, which means he will miss the start of the season which isn’t ideal, but we have back up in Nathan Kitson.

“Adam Brook will miss out at Barrow with a rib injury which he sustained from a late shot from one of the Bulls forwards which, when I’ve looked back at the footage, is not only late but also a clear shoulder charge. Hopefully, the incident will be reviewed.

“Ritchie has tweaked his knee so won’t be ready in time I think for the trip to Barrow but Sean Hesketh has had an x-ray on his arm and that has come back clear, so he will be ready to go.

“Danny Lawton and Ben Sagar aren’t too far off now and I’d expect to have Josh Lynam back in contention for the trip this weekend.”