ANYONE who happened to pop down to one of Barrow Raiders’ midweek training sessions last summer would have seen Lewis Charnock cutting something of a lonely figure.

Ruled out until September after needing surgery when his shoulder gave way in the 2018 season-opener away to London Broncos, Charnock could do little but wait for the recovery process to finish.

It was perhaps all the more frustrating given he could do pretty much everything bar actually taking part in contact sessions with his Raiders team-mates, so instead he busied himself doing fitness work and relentlessly practising his goal-kicking ready for his eventual return.

But having walked the long road back to fitness, the scrum-half is raring to go in 2019 and eager to make up for lost time after helping Barrow to a League One Cup and promotion double during his first year at Craven Park.

“After the 2017 season, which was good for us as a club, I was on a bit of a high and getting injured in the first game(of 2018) was obviously disappointing,” said Charnock.

“But injuries happen in sport, especially rugby league - it’s not the easiest of contact sports to play, so I just had to get on with it and try to fight through it.

“I’ve come out the other end and it’s a fresh year, and I’m feeling good so hopefully 2019 will be a good year for us.”

Charnock did manage to make five appearances for the Raiders during the final month of last season and the club were quick to offer the St Helens Academy product a new contract when his initial two-year deal expired.

It did not take long for the 24-year-old to accept the offer either, and he has quickly established himself back alongside stand-off Jamie Dallimore.

Charnock played a key role in the win away to Batley Bulldogs in the 2019 Championship opener three weeks ago thanks to his pinpoint in-play kicking, along with grabbing the crucial try which put the Raiders ahead early in the second half.

But he was candid in admitting he did not think either him or the team played at their best in last Sunday’s 24-22 defeat at home to Sheffield, but is in no doubt it will not be long before fans start to see the best of this new-look Barrow team.

“I didn’t have the best of 2018 with that big injury and it set me back, so when they offered me a new contract I was quick to sign it,” said Charnock.

“This is probably the best bunch of lads I’ve played with in my rugby career, so that made the decision for me.

“They’ve done a good job of recruiting this year. Everyone who has come are sound, they fit right in and they’re a top bunch of lads.

“So hopefully when they get used to our combinations and the way we play, we’ll starting learning how they play and just bounce off each other. I think we can only get better.”

Dallimore serving the first game of a two-match suspension means Charnock is likely to have a new half-back partner tomorrow in Furness Raiders product Jake Carter and he has been impressed with what he has seen from the 20-year-old so far.

“Jake is a top lad; he just keeps his head down and works hard,” said Charnock. “I’m sure if he’s selected he’ll do a good job.

“He knows the way we play, he knows our moves and I’ll help him as much as I can, but I think he’ll do really well.”