Last updated at 14:42, Thursday, 29 July 2010

THERE will need to be a major reshuffle of the Barrow Raiders back line on Saturday, with Andreas Bauer added to the list of absentees.

NEW ZEALAND: Andreas Bauer

The 27-year-old centre will be unavailable for the match with Toulouse Olympique at Craven Park after returning home to New Zealand for family reasons.

It is unclear how long Bauer will be absent for, but he will definitely miss at least this one match, causing further problems for coach Steve McCormack, who is already without full-back and captain Gary Broadbent.

The Barrow boss said: “Andreas Bauer is going back to New Zealand for a family issue, which leaves us short on that side as he will miss Saturday’s game. It’s a big blow, but obviously family has sometimes got to take priority.

“We will have a look at training this week to see who can fill in where.”

Zeb Luisi and Andy Ballard are the most likely to take Broadbent’s spot at the back after he punctured his arm on a security fence when going over the perimeter wall after making a tackle against Halifax last week.

There is also a chance Chris Larkin will return to action earlier than expected for the match with Toulouse.

The winger has recovered well from knee surgery and resumed full training this week, with the possibility he could be called into the fray on Saturday.

McCormack added: “Zeb can play at full-back and there is another option with Andy Ballard. Gary will be a big miss, but it has been like this for us all season and this is just another thing we have to deal with.

“Hopefully Chris will be available this week.

“He has upped his training and he has been given the go-ahead to start full training, so hopefully he will be okay.

“It will be a challenge this week. I am looking forward to it.”

l The RFL have ordered Barrow’s final of match of the season against Widnes to be played on Wednesday, August 18, rather than the date preferred by both clubs a week later.

The match will kick-off at 7.30pm at Craven Park.

l The Barrow v Oldham reserves match, due to be played at Craven Park on Saturday, has been cancelled.

First published at 13:06, Thursday, 29 July 2010
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk