Barrow Raiders head coach Paul Crarey is getting the players he brought in from the amateur ranks during the winter up to speed with the greater intensity that comes with playing professional rugby league.

Former Askam duo Mark Tyson and Tom Hopkins both made their competitive debuts for the Raiders in last Sunday's 38-18 victory over London Skolars in the Coral Challenge Cup, with the former providing cover at half-back.

Barrow Island produced Carl McBain wasn't in the matchday squad, but could be given his first taste of playing at a higher level in Saturday's fourth round tie at Betfred Championship side Featherstone Rovers.

Crarey said: "I spoke to the lads that come out of the amateur game and told them that it would be nothing like the friendlies - it goes up a notch, the intensity and the ferocity because people are playing for shirts now, and playing for money.

"You've got to be aware that it's no cakewalk and you've just got to get out there and do your bit, but I thought they did really well.

"Of the old pros, I thought Jono [Smith] in his second spell was outstanding, but last year we played him for real big minutes and it's hard when you leave them out there, explosive players, to have them at their most explosive.

"I thought they went on and did a good job - sometimes we'll go with more middles, but I just wanted to look at them, with the way they've gone.

"Both Mark and Tom have warranted a spot in the starting 17, so that's why we did it"

Crarey has used local talent to bolster his ranks this season, with Millom youngster Connor Terrill also brought in, but he is still on the look-out for players from elsewhere when it comes to potential signings.

He said: "We're still looking, we've still got some money there, but we won't rush in. We're just going to see how we go.

"We're not just going to fill it with bodies, we want some quality in there and we've got some money to bring some quality in. We'll keep trying, like everybody else.

"Probably when Super League settles down and they want to try and make a little bit of money, there will be some loan players, but we'll wait for that. Hopefully, our squad will be good enough when we lose some key players."