WHILE there’s pressure ahead of a crucial Sunday showdown, Carl Forster says North Wales Crusaders just need to treat it like any other game.

Following a week off, Crusaders return to League One action with a home encounter against Workington Town, who are coached by former Cru chief Anthony Murray.

And it will be a homecoming for Rob Massam, who has decided to return to the sport after retiring at the end of last season.

Head coach Forster told CruCast: “I think there’s pressure on both teams, isn’t there?

“Both are probably not exactly where they want to be in the league table, but I’m sure Workington, like us, will have genuine reasons for that.

“So, they’ll probably be saying the same same message to us, as press the reset button, it’s second half of the season and we go again.

“So, we’ll prepare right for it and it’s just another league game. That’s what the message has got to be for us.

“Although it is play-off mentality, we can’t let that kind of occasion or pressure get to us and it’s just let’s play our game, play it right.

“Let’s nullify their threats and, hopefully, we execute it come Sunday.”

Crusaders are looking to end a six-match losing sequence on Sunday, however they can take confidence from pushing title-chasing Oldham all the way in an epic match last time out.

A last minute drop goal saw Oldham win it 25-24, while there’s been positive news for Crusaders since then with the return of Massam.

The former Welsh international retired from the sport at the end of last season, but he has opted to don his boots once more for six games this season.

“It’s huge for us,” added Forster.

“Obviously, Rob didn’t go out the way he wanted to go out last year, with getting the HIA (head impact assessment) in the semi-final and we all felt for him at the time.

“But, he’s obviously gone on and done his things away from rugby and he’s just kind of fitted in well with, obviously, us being a little bit light in the back-line.

“Pat Ah Van’s picked up a fractured cheekbone against Oldham. So, Rob’s kind of gone and come in at the right time.

“Yeah, he’s not available for every single game, but we knew that before he obviously signed on the line and we’ll work with it.”

Forster himself has been suffering with a shoulder injury and he’s weighing up whether to put himself in the squad this weekend.

“Obviously, I’ve still got a few issues myself,” he added.

“So, we’ll train this week and we’ll go from there and the best 17 available to us on Sunday will play.

“So, whether that includes me or it doesn’t, I’m not quite sure as of yet, but we’ve got two training sessions to come this week and I’ll decide what’s best for the team ultimately before what’s best for myself.”

Oldham will return to the top of the standings on Sunday if they can defeat hosts Newcastle Thunder.

Elsewhere, Cornwall welcome Rochdale Hornets and Midlands Hurricanes head to Hunslet.