YORK Wasps have received a double forwards' boost ahead of Sunday's trip to Barrow, writes Peter Martini.

Firstly, captain Peter Edwards should be okay to play despite suffering concussion in the opening day defeat to Whitehaven.

Secondly, the Wasps will not have to face the might of former Great Britain ace Sonny Nickle, despite the fact the St Helens star has joined the Raiders.

There were fears that Edwards' head injury would have led to a statutory three-week lay-off.

But Wasps chief executive Ann Garvey explained: "He suffered mild concussion, and there's a difference between that and moderate and severe concussion."

Meanwhile, 32-year-old Nickle cannot play for Barrow as he is in the middle of a nine-match ban incurred for the tackle that broke Robbie Mears' jaw while playing for Saints against Leeds. He still has five games left to sit out. Wasps' match on Sunday will kick off at 2pm rather than 3pm, as Raiders are having problems with the floodlights at their Craven Park ground.

Updated: 15:50 Tuesday, December 04, 2001