WORKINGTON TOWN have had a difficult season on the pitch so far this season, going down to a heavy 40-0 defeat by Barrow in their opening game, before suffering a much closer 20-14 defeat by Rochdale Hornets in Round 2.

And although they were hammered 98-2 by St Helens in the Challenge Cup third round, that game, with an attendance of 4,169, is estimated to have put around £75,000 into the club’s coffers.

But they will face no easy task against Widnes Vikings, who gave Leeds Rhinos plenty to think about in the Challenge Cup before going down 25-12.

The Vikings have lost Danny Langtree due to head injury protocols after suffering a concussion against Leeds last weekend while Kieran Taylor also drops out of the squad as he joins Rochdale on loan.

Two players return to the squad, as Joe Edge and Nick Gregson are included after missing the game with the Rhinos.

Jumah Sambou is on loan from Hull KR and he scored two tries when making his debut against North Wales Crusaders.

SQUADS

Town: 1 Zarrin Galea, 2 Oscar Doran, 3 Rio Corkill, 5 Alex Donaghy, 6 Jake Carter, 7 Dominic Wear, 8 Ross Ainley, 10 Stevie Scholey, 11 Mason Lewthwaite, 12 Jake Bradley, 14 Callum Phillips, 15 Callum Farrer, 16 Guy Graham, 17 Lucas Castle, 18 Jude Lupton, 19 Spencer Fulton, 21 Evan Lawther, 22 Delaine Bedward-Gittens, 23 Tobias Gibson, 25 Bear Williams, 26 Tuarae Rawhiti

Vikings: 1 Matty Fleming, 2 Mike Butt, 3 Jack Owens, 4 Joe Edge, 5 Ryan Ince, 6 Joe Lyons, 7 Tom Gilmore, 8 Daniel Murray, 9 Jordan Johnstone, 12 Max Roberts, 13 Nick Gregson, 14 Matty Fozard, 15 Lewis Hall, 18 Morgan McWhirter, 19 Adam Lawton, 20 Jack Bibby, 21 James Chapelhow, 22 Jordan Abdull, 23 Nathan Connell, 28 Jack Houghton, 29 Jumah Sambou

Referee: Carl Hughes

STATS

Last ten meetings:
Workington 0, Widnes 38 (ChR17, 3/7/22)
Widnes 70, Workington 18 (ChR2, 6/2/22)
Workington 0, Widnes 36 (CCR5, 12/5/13)
Workington 6, Widnes 25 (NFPR23, 27/5/01)
Widnes 26, Workington 16 (NFPR5, 7/1/01)
Widnes 42, Workington 16 (NFPR25, 11/6/00)
Workington 16, Widnes 10 (NFPR9, 5/3/00)
Widnes 46, Workington 0 (NFPR28, 29/8/99)
Workington 30, Widnes 24 (NFPR11, 25/4/99)
Workington 20, Widnes 14 (D1R12, 23/5/97)

TOM GILMORE needs two points to reach 1,000 for his career.
​​​​​​​​ – 570 for Widnes Vikings (2012-2019, 2023-2025)
​​​​​​​​ – 404 for Batley Bulldogs (2021-2022)
​​​​​​​​ – 4 for Salford Red Devils (2020, loan)
​​​​​​​​ – 16 for London Broncos (2015, loan)
​​​​​​​​- 4 for North Wales Crusaders (2014, dual-registration)
​​​​​​​​ (0 for Halifax, 2020)