Last updated at 13:10, Tuesday, 27 July 2010

UNBREAKABLE Barrow Raiders skipper Gary Broadbent will miss his first game in more than four years after a freak accident left him sidelined.

IN THE WARS: Gary Broadbent

The 33-year-old talismanic full-back punctured his arm on a security fence after going over the perimeter wall when making a tackle in the defeat to Halifax last week.

He has undergone hospital treatment to clean the wound out and has been given stitches, but the severity of the injury means he will not face Toulouse at Craven Park on Saturday.

It will be the first time since he was absent from Whitehaven’s 32-all draw at Doncaster on April 14, 2006, that Broadbent has missed a first team game for any of his clubs – a run of 141 matches.

“It’s been quite a few games since I missed out,” said the seemingly-indestructible Walneyite, who will instead watch the clash with Toulouse from the stands. “I just went to make a tackle – I can’t remember if I made it or not – and I just carried on, I couldn’t stop and I hit the wall.

“The fence was on the other side and I just put my hand down to stop myself tipping over and it has stabbed in my arm.

“It’s awkward because it’s on the inside of the elbow and it hurts every time I bend it, so I’m trying to keep it straight.

“It will be a week of rest, a week of chilling out and I’m looking forward to it!”

Broadbent was an ever-present for Barrow as they won the Championship last season, having played the whole of the 2007 and 2008 campaigns for Haven.

Raiders coach Steve McCormack hailed the former Salford Super League man’s toughness in managing so many games in succession, especially given the physical nature of his performances.

“He has an outstanding record,” said McCormack. “For somebody who puts his body on the line week-in, week-out, for every second of the game, to have that sort of record is unbelievable. I’m not sure of anybody else with that sort of record. Considering the way he plays the game, that’s an outstanding achievement and that says everything about him. His absence is a big blow for us.”

Broadbent, who expects to return for the home match against Keighley next week, was the standout performer for Barrow as they went down 42-34 to Fax on Thursday, playing well in both halves even when his team-mates struggled during the first period.

He is hopeful the side can bounce back against Toulouse on Saturday, with the likelihood one of Andy Ballard or Zeb Luisi will fill in for him at full-back, and said: “Toulouse are a decent team and they are dangerous on their day.

“They are a bit like us at the minute – they can score points but they can’t defend, so it could be another high-scoring game.”

l The Raiders Bar will be open on Friday to show the Leeds v Wigan Super League game (8pm kick-off, doors open at 7.15pm).

First published at 13:05, Tuesday, 27 July 2010
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk