JOHN Fieldhouse has backed his Woolston Rovers side to continue showing their mental strength when they travel to Oldham St Annes on Saturday, kick off 2.30pm.

The fixture was originally scheduled for the opening weekend of the season, but a waterlogged pitch forced the game to be rearranged.

Rovers go into the game on the back of a 28-12 victory over Barrow Island on Saturday, but head coach Fieldhouse is wary of a St Annes side that will be “full of confidence” after four wins from their past five games.

Fieldhouse has had to change his side around in recent weeks and says he will do so again on Saturday, but he insists his players are coping fine.

“We played better against Barrow Island but we know that we will need to improve even more if we want to get the right result at St Annes,” he said.

“They have improved significantly as the season has progressed so will come into the game full of confidence.

“We just need to start strongly and get on top early on.

“Unfortunately we will be missing some players and be forced into making some positional changes again.

“That is currently testing the character of the players but on the whole they are coming through it and showing that they have the quality and mental strength to cope with this.

“We know that we need to show what we are capable of on a regular basis if we are to stay in the promotion hunt.”

Meanwhile, Woolston Rovers A are in cup action as they welcome Little Hulton Reds to Monks Sports Club in the NWML Shield, kick off 2.30pm.

The teams face off for a place in the semi finals and coach Andy Penny says his team are raring to go.

“A cup fixture is always something special and we are hoping to continue our journey by getting the right result on Saturday,” he said.

“Little Hulton came to our place a few weeks ago and we just managed to get a 32-30 win, so we know that it is going to be another tough game.

“The journey the squad has come on this year has been exceptional and we are looking to continue our great form and earn our place in the semi final.”